Single variable domains against notch pathway members

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to amino acid sequences (also referred to herein as “single variable domain(s) of the invention”. “Nanobody™ of the invention” or “Nanobodies™ of the invention”, ilpolypeptide(s) of the invention”) that are directed against (as defined herein) members of the Notch signalling pathway such as the four mammalian members of the Notch Receptors (Notch-1, Notch-2, Notch-3, Notch-4, hereinafter also “Notch Receptors”) and the five mammalian members of the Notch Ligands (the Delta-like family with “DLL1”, “DLL3”, “DLL4” wherein “DLL” stands for Delta-like ligand; the Jagged family with “Jagged-1”, “Jagged-2”, hereinafter also “Notch Ligands”), as well as to constructs that comprise or essentially consist of one or more such single variable domain(s) (also referred to herein as “construct of the invention” and “constructs of the invention”, “Nanobody™ of the invention” or “Nanobodies™ of the invention”, respectively). In particular, this invention relates to Notch pathway interfering single variable domains down- or up-regulating Notch signaling (also referred to herein “Notch-antagonists” or “Notch-agonists”).

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. §371 of international application PCT/EP2009/054139, filed Apr. 7, 2009, which was published under PCT Article 21(2) in English, and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/042,854, filed Apr. 7, 2008, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

The present invention relates to amino acid sequences (also referred to herein as “single variable domain(s) of the invention”, “Nanobody™ of the invention” or “Nanobodies™ of the invention”, “polypeptide(s) of the invention”) that are directed against (as defined herein) members of the Notch signalling pathway such as the four mammalian members of the Notch Receptors (Notch-1, Notch-2, Notch-3, Notch-4, hereinafter also “Notch Receptors”) and the five mammalian members of the Notch Ligands (the Delta-like family with “DLL1”, “DLL3”, “DLL4” wherein “DLL” stands for Delta-like ligand; the Jagged family with “Jagged-1”, “Jagged-2”, hereinafter also “Notch Ligands”), as well as to constructs that comprise or essentially consist of one or more such single variable domain(s) (also referred to herein as “construct of the invention” and “constructs of the invention”, “Nanobody™ of the invention” or “Nanobodies™ of the invention”, respectively). In particular, this invention relates to Notch pathway interfering single variable domains down- or up-regulating Notch signaling (also referred to herein as “Notch-antagonists” or “Notch-agonists”).

The invention also relates to nucleic acids encoding such single variable domains or constructs (also referred to herein as “nucleic acids of the invention”, “nucleic acid of the invention”, “nucleotide sequence of the invention” or “nucleotide sequences of the invention”); to methods for preparing such single variable domains or constructs; to host cells expressing or capable of expressing such single variable domains or constructs; to compositions, and in particular to pharmaceutical compositions, that comprise such single variable domains or constructs; and to uses of such single variable domains, constructs, nucleic acids, host cells and/or compositions, in particular for prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic purposes, such as the uses in cancer, immunomodulation and neurodegenerative disorders and in particular the prophylactic, therapeutic or diagnostic purposes mentioned herein.

Other aspects, embodiments, advantages and applications of the invention will become clear from the further description herein.

The Notch pathway is known to control cell fate choices in many tissues during development and differentiation. As for cancer, numerous observations suggest that chronically active Notch signalling is associated with the transformed phenotype in many cells. Overexpression of apparently full-length Notch receptors and ligands is observed in several common epithelial malignancies and tumor cell lines. In other cases, activated Notch signalling results from deletions that produce constitutively active Notch receptors (Miele et al., supra). Examples of possibly suitable uses of a polypeptide of the invention in cancer are mainly in the form of Notch-antagonists and are for example: cervical carcinomas, pre-neoplastic lesions in cervical epithelium, endometrial carcinomas, T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL), acute promyelocytic leukaemia, erythroleukemia, glioblastoma multiforme, neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma to pleural mesothelioma (Miele et al, supra), disease with excessive angiogenesis (Thurston G. et. Al, 2007, Nature 7, 327-331). Blockade of DLL4 inhibits tumour growth by promoting non-productive angiogenesis (WO2007070671).

As for neurodegenerative disorders, Notch signalling has been known for many years to play a pivotal role in the development of the central nervous system and, more recently also in neuropathology. Examples of possibly suitable uses of a polypeptide of the invention in neurodegenerative diseases are mainly in the form of Notch-agonists and are for example: CADASIL, Alzheimer's disease, familial Alzheimer's disease, demyelinating disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis, neurological lesions such as spinal cord injuries, stroke (Miele et al., supra).

As for immunomodulation, considerable evidence points to multiple roles of Notch signalling in the immune system. It is well established that Notch signalling plays a role in T-cell maturation, in particular by inhibiting the “differentiation” program that is triggered after activation of T-cells by a cognate interaction. Hence, Notch-agonists may be used for immunosuppressive or tolerogenic interferences (uses in transplantation/graft versus host diseases); Notch-antagonists may amplify an immune response.

The single variable domains and constructs of the present invention can generally be used to modulate, and in particular inhibit and/or prevent, binding of Notch Ligands to Notch Receptors, and thus to modulate, and in particular inhibit or prevent, the signalling that is mediated by Notch Ligands and/or Notch Receptors, to modulate the biological pathways in which Notch Ligands and/or Notch Receptors are involved, and/or to modulate the biological mechanisms, responses and effects associated with such signalling or these pathways.

As such, the single variable domains and constructs of the present invention can be used for the prevention and treatment (as defined herein) of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and immunomodulatory diseases. Generally, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and immunomodulatory diseases can be defined as diseases and disorders that can be prevented and/or treated, respectively, by suitably administering to a subject in need thereof (i.e. having the disease or disorder or at least one symptom thereof and/or at risk of attracting or developing the disease or disorder) of either a polypeptide or composition of the invention (and in particular, of a pharmaceutically active amount thereof) and/or of a known active principle active against members of the Notch signalling pathway members of the Notch signalling pathway or a biological pathway or mechanism in which members of the Notch signalling pathway is involved (and in particular, of a pharmaceutically active amount thereof). Examples of such cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and immunomodulatory diseases will be clear to the skilled person based on the disclosure herein, and for example include the following diseases and disorders: Alzheimer, cervical carcinomas, pre-neoplastic lesions in cervical epithelium, endometrial carcinomas, T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL), acute promyelocytic leukaemia, erythroleukemia, glioblastoma multiforme, neuroblastoma and medulloblastoma to pleural mesothelioma (Miele et al, supra), disease with excessive angiogenesis (Thurston G. et. Al, 2007, Nature 7, 327-331), CADASIL, Alzheimer's disease, familial Alzheimer's disease, demyelinating disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis, neurological lesions such as spinal cord injuries, stroke (Miele et al., supra), transplantation/graft versus host diseases.

In particular, the single variable domains and constructs of the present invention can be used for the prevention and treatment of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and immunomodulatory diseases which are characterized by excessive and/or unwanted signaling mediated by members of the Notch signalling pathway or by the pathway(s) in which members of the Notch signalling pathway are involved. Examples of such cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and immunomodulatory diseases will again be clear to the skilled person based on the disclosure herein.

Thus, without being limited thereto, the single variable domains of the invention can for example be used to prevent and/or to treat all diseases and disorders that are currently being prevented or treated with active principles that can modulate Notch pathway-mediated signalling, such as those mentioned in the prior art cited above. It is also envisaged that the single variable domains of the invention can be used to prevent and/or to treat all diseases and disorders for which treatment with such active principles is currently being developed, has been proposed, or will be proposed or developed in future. In addition, it is envisaged that, because of their favourable properties as further described herein, the single variable domains of the present invention may be used for the prevention and treatment of other diseases and disorders than those for which these known active principles are being used or will be proposed or developed; and/or that the single variable domains of the present invention may provide new methods and regimens for treating the diseases and disorders described herein.

Other applications and uses of the single variable domains of the invention will become clear to the skilled person from the further disclosure herein.

Generally, it is an object of the invention to provide pharmacologically active agents, as well as constructs comprising the same, that can be used in the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and immunomodulatory diseases and of the further diseases and disorders mentioned herein; and to provide methods for the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of such diseases and disorders that involve the administration and/or use of such agents and constructs.

In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide such pharmacologically active agents, constructs and/or methods that have certain advantages compared to the agents, constructs and/or methods that are currently used and/or known in the art. These advantages will become clear from the further description below.

More in particular, it is an object of the invention to provide therapeutic proteins that can be used as pharmacologically active agents, as well as constructs comprising the same, for the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and immunomodulatory diseases and of the further diseases and disorders mentioned herein; and to provide methods for the diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of such diseases and disorders that involve the administration and/or the use of such therapeutic proteins and constructs.

Accordingly, it is a specific object of the present invention to provide single variable domains that are directed against (as defined herein) members of the Notch signalling pathway, in particular against members of the Notch signalling pathway from a warm-blooded animal, more in particular against members of the Notch signalling pathway from a mammal, and especially against human members of the Notch signalling pathway, and to provide single variable domains comprising or essentially consisting of at least one such amino acid sequence.

In particular, it is a specific object of the present invention to provide such single variable domains that are suitable for prophylactic, therapeutic and/or diagnostic use in a warm-blooded animal, and in particular in a mammal, and more in particular in a human being.

More in particular, it is a specific object of the present invention to provide such single variable domains that can be used for the prevention, treatment, alleviation and/or diagnosis of one or more diseases, disorders or conditions associated with members of the Notch signalling pathway and/or mediated by members of the Notch signalling pathway (such as the diseases, disorders and conditions mentioned herein) in a warm-blooded animal, in particular in a mammal, and more in particular in a human being.

It is also a specific object of the invention to provide such single variable domains that can be used in the preparation of pharmaceutical or veterinary compositions for the prevention and/or treatment of one or more diseases, disorders or conditions associated with and/or mediated by members of the Notch signalling pathway (such as the diseases, disorders and conditions mentioned herein) in a warm-blooded animal, in particular in a mammal, and more in particular in a human being.

In the invention, generally, these objects are achieved by the use of the amino acid sequences, proteins, single variable domains and constructs that are described herein.

In general, the invention provides single variable domains that are directed against (as defined herein) and/or can specifically bind (as defined herein) to members of the Notch signalling pathway; as well as compounds and constructs, and in particular proteins and single variable domains, that comprise at least one such amino acid sequence.

More in particular, the invention provides single variable domains that can bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway with an affinity (suitably measured and/or expressed as a K_(D)-value (actual or apparent), a K_(A)-value (actual or apparent), a k_(on)-rate and/or a k_(off)-rate, or alternatively as an IC₅₀ value, as further described herein) that is as defined herein; as well as compounds and constructs, and in particular proteins and single variable domains, that comprise at least one such amino acid sequence.

In particular, single variable domains of the invention are preferably such that they:

-   -   bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway with a         dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or         less, and preferably and more preferably 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹²         moles/liter (i.e. with an association constant (K_(A)) of 10⁵ to         10¹² liter/moles or more, and preferably 10⁷ to 10¹² liter/moles         or more and more preferably 10⁸ to 10¹² liter/moles);         and/or such that they:     -   bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway with a         k_(on)-rate of between 10² M⁻¹s⁻¹ to about 10⁷ M⁻¹s⁻¹,         preferably between 10³ M⁻¹s⁻¹ and 10⁷ M⁻¹s⁻¹, more preferably         between 10⁴ M⁻¹s⁻¹ and 10⁷ M⁻¹s⁻¹, such as between 10⁵ M⁻¹s⁻¹         and 10⁷ M⁻¹s⁻¹;         and/or such that they:     -   bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway with a k_(off)         rate between 1 s⁻¹ (t_(1/2)=0.69 s) and 10⁻⁶ s⁻¹ (providing a         near irreversible complex with a t_(1/2) of multiple days),         preferably between 10⁻² s⁻¹ and 10⁻⁶ s⁻¹, more preferably         between 10⁻³ s⁻¹ and 10⁻⁶ s⁻¹, such as between 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ and 10⁻⁶         s⁻¹.

Preferably, a monovalent amino acid sequence of the invention (or a polypeptide that contains only one amino acid sequence of the invention) is preferably such that it will bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway with an affinity less than 500 nM, preferably less than 200 nM, more preferably less than 10 nM, such as less than 500 pM.

Some preferred IC50 values for binding of the single variable domains or single variable domains of the invention to members of the Notch signalling pathway will become clear from the further description and examples herein.

For binding to members of the Notch signalling pathway, an amino acid sequence of the invention will usually contain within its amino acid sequence one or more amino acid residues or one or more stretches of amino acid residues (i.e. with each “stretch” comprising two or amino acid residues that are adjacent to each other or in close proximity to each other, i.e. in the primary or tertiary structure of the amino acid sequence) via which the single variable domains of the invention can bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway, which amino acid residues or stretches of amino acid residues thus form the “site” for binding to members of the Notch signalling pathway (also referred to herein as the “antigen binding site”).

The single variable domains provided by the invention are preferably in essentially isolated form (as defined herein), or form part of a protein or polypeptide of the invention (as defined herein), which may comprise or essentially consist of one or more single variable domains of the invention and which may optionally further comprise one or more further single variable domains (all optionally linked via one or more suitable linkers). For example, and without limitation, the one or more single variable domains of the invention may be used as a binding unit in such a protein or polypeptide, which may optionally contain one or more further single variable domains that can serve as a binding unit (i.e. against one or more other targets than members of the Notch signalling pathway), so as to provide a monovalent, multivalent or multispecific polypeptide of the invention, respectively, all as described herein. Such a protein or polypeptide may also be in essentially isolated form (as defined herein).

The single variable domains of the invention as such preferably essentially consist of a single amino acid chain that is not linked via disulphide bridges to any other amino acid sequence or chain (but that may or may not contain one or more intramolecular disulphide bridges. For example, it is known that Nanobodies—as described herein—may sometimes contain a disulphide bridge between CDR3 and CDR1 or FR2). However, it should be noted that one or more single variable domains of the invention may be linked to each other and/or to other single variable domains (e.g. via disulphide bridges) to provide peptide constructs that may also be useful in the invention (for example Fab′ fragments, F(ab′)₂ fragments, ScFv constructs, “diabodies” and other multispecific constructs. Reference is for example made to the review by Holliger and Hudson, Nat Biotechnol. 2005 September; 23(9):1126-36).

Generally, when an amino acid sequence of the invention (or a compound, construct or polypeptide comprising the same) is intended for administration to a subject (for example for therapeutic and/or diagnostic purposes as described herein), it is preferably either an amino acid sequence that does not occur naturally in said subject; or, when it does occur naturally in said subject, in essentially isolated form (as defined herein).

It will also be clear to the skilled person that for pharmaceutical use, the single variable domains of the invention (as well as compounds, constructs and single variable domains comprising the same) are preferably directed against human members of the Notch signalling pathway; whereas for veterinary purposes, the single variable domains of the invention are preferably directed against members of the Notch signalling pathway from the species to be treated, or are at least cross-reactive with members of the Notch signalling pathway from the species to be treated.

Furthermore, an amino acid sequence of the invention may optionally, and in addition to the at least one binding site for binding against members of the Notch signalling pathway, contain one or more further binding sites for binding against other antigens, proteins or targets.

The efficacy of the single variable domains of the invention, and of constructs comprising the same, can be tested using any suitable in vitro assay, cell-based assay, in vivo assay and/or animal model known per se, or any combination thereof, depending on the specific disease or disorder involved. Suitable assays and animal models will be clear to the skilled person, and for example include mouse models for various diseases where a member of the Notch signalling pathway is involved have been developed (T. Gridley, Human Molecular Genetics, 2003, Vol., 12, Review Issue 1, R9-R13), as well as the assays and animal models used in the experimental part below and in the prior art cited herein.

Also, according to the invention, single variable domains that are directed against members of the Notch signalling pathway from a first species of warm-blooded animal may or may not show cross-reactivity with members of the Notch signalling pathway from one or more other species of warm-blooded animal. For example, single variable domains directed against human members of the Notch signalling pathway may or may not show cross reactivity with members of the Notch signalling pathway from one or more other species of primates (such as, without limitation, monkeys from the genus Macaca (such as, and in particular, cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) and/or rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)) and baboon (Papio ursinus)) and/or with members of the Notch signalling pathway from one or more species of animals that are often used in animal models for diseases (for example mouse, rat, rabbit, pig or dog), and in particular in animal models for diseases and disorders associated with members of the Notch signalling pathway (such as the species and animal models mentioned herein). In this respect, it will be clear to the skilled person that such cross-reactivity, when present, may have advantages from a drug development point of view, since it allows the single variable domains against human members of the Notch signalling pathway to be tested in such disease models.

More generally, single variable domains of the invention that are cross-reactive with members of the Notch signalling pathway from multiple species of mammal will usually be advantageous for use in veterinary applications, since it will allow the same amino acid sequence or polypeptide to be used across multiple species. Thus, it is also encompassed within the scope of the invention that single variable domains directed against members of the Notch signalling pathway from one species of animal (such as single variable domains against human members of the Notch signalling pathway) can be used in the treatment of another species of animal, as long as the use of the/or single variable domains provide the desired effects in the species to be treated.

The present invention is in its broadest sense also not particularly limited to or defined by a specific antigenic determinant, epitope, part, domain, subunit or confirmation (where applicable) of members of the Notch signalling pathway against which the single variable domains of the invention are directed. For example, the single variable domains may or may not be directed against an “interaction site” (as defined herein). However, it is generally assumed and preferred that the single variable domains of the invention are preferably directed against an interaction site (as defined herein), and in particular against at least partly either the ligand site or the receptor site of the ligand-receptor interaction sites). Thus, in one preferred, but non-limiting aspect, the single variable domains of the invention are directed against ligand-receptor interaction site of the Notch Ligands (supra) or/and are directed against the ligand-receptor interaction site of the Notch Receptors (supra), and are as further defined herein.

As further described herein, a polypeptide of the invention may contain two or more single variable domains of the invention that are directed against members of the Notch signaling pathway. Generally, such single variable domains will bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway with increased avidity compared to a single amino acid sequence of the invention. Such a polypeptide may for example comprise two single variable domains of the invention that are directed against the same antigenic determinant, epitope, part, domain, subunit or confirmation (where applicable) of members of the Notch signalling pathway (which may or may not be an interaction site); or comprise at least one “first” amino acid sequence of the invention that is directed against a first same antigenic determinant, epitope, part, domain, subunit or confirmation (where applicable) of members of the Notch signalling pathway (which may or may not be an interaction site); and at least one “second” amino acid sequence of the invention that is directed against a second antigenic determinant, epitope, part, domain, subunit or confirmation (where applicable) different from the first (and which again may or may not be an interaction site). Preferably, in such “biparatopic” single variable domains of the invention, at least one amino acid sequence of the invention is directed against an interaction site (as defined herein), although the invention in its broadest sense is not limited thereto.

Also, when the target is part of a binding pair (for example, a receptor-ligand binding pair), the single variable domains may be such that they compete with the cognate binding partner (e.g. the ligand, receptor or other binding partner, as applicable) for binding to the target, and/or such that they (fully or partially) neutralize binding of the binding partner to the target.

It is also within the scope of the invention that, where applicable, an amino acid sequence of the invention can bind to two or more antigenic determinants, epitopes, parts, domains, subunits or confirmations of members of the Notch signalling pathway. In such a case, the antigenic determinants, epitopes, parts, domains or subunits of members of the Notch signalling pathway to which the single variable domains of the invention bind may be essentially the same (for example, if members of the Notch signalling pathway contains repeated structural motifs or occurs in a multimeric form) or may be different (and in the latter case, the single variable domains of the invention may bind to such different antigenic determinants, epitopes, parts, domains, subunits of members of the Notch signalling pathway with an affinity and/or specificity which may be the same or different). Also, for example, when members of the Notch signalling pathway exists in an activated conformation and in an inactive conformation, the single variable domains of the invention may bind to either one of these confirmation, or may bind to both these confirmations (i.e. with an affinity and/or specificity which may be the same or different). Also, for example, the single variable domains of the invention may bind to a conformation of members of the Notch signalling pathway in which it is bound to a pertinent ligand, may bind to a conformation of members of the Notch signalling pathway in which it not bound to a pertinent ligand, or may bind to both such conformations (again with an affinity and/or specificity which may be the same or different).

It is also expected that the single variable domains of the invention will generally bind to all naturally occurring or synthetic analogs, variants, mutants, alleles, parts and fragments of the members of the Notch signalling pathway; or at least to those analogs, variants, mutants, alleles, parts and fragments of members of the Notch signalling pathway that contain one or more antigenic determinants or epitopes that are essentially the same as the antigenic determinant(s) or epitope(s) to which the single variable domains of the invention bind in members of the Notch signalling pathway (e.g. in wild-type members of the Notch signalling pathway). Again, in such a case, the single variable domains of the invention may bind to such analogs, variants, mutants, alleles, parts and fragments with an affinity and/or specificity that are the same as, or that are different from (i.e. higher than or lower than), the affinity and specificity with which the single variable domains of the invention bind to (wild-type) members of the Notch signalling pathway. It is also included within the scope of the invention that the single variable domains of the invention bind to some analogs, variants, mutants, alleles, parts and fragments of the members of the Notch signalling pathway, but not to others.

When members of the Notch signalling pathway exists in a monomeric form and in one or more multimeric forms, it is within the scope of the invention that the single variable domains of the invention only bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway in monomeric form, only bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway in multimeric form, or bind to both the monomeric and the multimeric form. Again, in such a case, the single variable domains of the invention may bind to the monomeric form with an affinity and/or specificity that are the same as, or that are different from (i.e. higher than or lower than), the affinity and specificity with which the single variable domains of the invention bind to the multimeric form.

Also, when members of the Notch signalling pathway can associate with other proteins or single variable domains to form protein complexes (e.g. with multiple subunits), it is within the scope of the invention that the single variable domains of the invention bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway in its non-associated state, bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway in its associated state, or bind to both. In all these cases, the single variable domains of the invention may bind to such multimers or associated protein complexes with an affinity and/or specificity that may be the same as or different from (i.e. higher than or lower than) the affinity and/or specificity with which the single variable domains of the invention bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway in its monomeric and non-associated state.

Also, as will be clear to the skilled person, proteins or single variable domains that contain two or more single variable domains directed against members of the Notch signalling pathway may bind with higher avidity to members of the Notch signalling pathway than the corresponding monomeric amino acid sequence(s). For example, and without limitation, proteins or single variable domains that contain two or more single variable domains directed against different epitopes of members of the Notch signalling pathway may (and usually will) bind with higher avidity than each of the different monomers, and proteins or single variable domains that contain two or more single variable domains directed against members of the Notch signalling pathway may (and usually will) bind also with higher avidity.

Generally, the single variable domains of the invention will at least bind to those forms of members of the Notch signalling pathway (including monomeric, multimeric and associated forms) that are the most relevant from a biological and/or therapeutic point of view, as will be clear to the skilled person.

It is also within the scope of the invention to use parts, fragments, analogs, mutants, variants, alleles and/or derivatives of the single variable domains of the invention, and/or to use proteins or single variable domains comprising or essentially consisting of one or more of such parts, fragments, analogs, mutants, variants, alleles and/or derivatives, as long as these are suitable for the uses envisaged herein. Such parts, fragments, analogs, mutants, variants, alleles and/or derivatives will usually contain (at least part of) a functional antigen-binding site for binding against members of the Notch signalling pathway; and more preferably will be capable of specific binding to members of the Notch signalling pathway, and even more preferably capable of binding to members of the Notch signalling pathway with an affinity (suitably measured and/or expressed as a K_(D)-value (actual or apparent), a K_(A)-value (actual or apparent), a k_(on)-rate and/or a k_(off)-rate, or alternatively as an IC₅₀ value, as further described herein) that is as defined herein. Some non-limiting examples of such parts, fragments, analogs, mutants, variants, alleles, derivatives, proteins and/or single variable domains will become clear from the further description herein. Additional fragments or single variable domains of the invention may also be provided by suitably combining (i.e. by linking or genetic fusion) one or more (smaller) parts or fragments as described herein.

In one specific, but non-limiting aspect of the invention, which will be further described herein, such analogs, mutants, variants, alleles, derivatives have an increased half-life in serum (as further described herein) compared to the amino acid sequence from which they have been derived. For example, an amino acid sequence of the invention may be linked (chemically or otherwise) to one or more groups or moieties that extend the half-life (such as PEG), so as to provide a derivative of an amino acid sequence of the invention with increased half-life.

In one specific, but non-limiting aspect, the amino acid sequence of the invention may be an amino acid sequence that comprises an immunoglobulin fold or may be an amino acid sequence that, under suitable conditions (such as physiological conditions) is capable of forming an immunoglobulin fold (i.e. by folding). Reference is inter alia made to the review by Halaby et al., J. (1999) Protein Eng. 12, 563-71. Preferably, when properly folded so as to form an immunoglobulin fold, such an amino acid sequence is capable of specific binding (as defined herein) to members of the Notch signalling pathway; and more preferably capable of binding to members of the Notch signalling pathway with an affinity (suitably measured and/or expressed as a K_(D)-value (actual or apparent), a K_(A)-value (actual or apparent), a k_(on)-rate and/or a k_(off)-rate, or alternatively as an IC₅₀ value, as further described herein) that is as defined herein. Also, parts, fragments, analogs, mutants, variants, alleles and/or derivatives of such single variable domains are preferably such that they comprise an immunoglobulin fold or are capable for forming, under suitable conditions, an immunoglobulin fold.

In particular, but without limitation, the single variable domains of the invention may be single variable domains that essentially consist of 4 framework regions (FR1 to FR4 respectively) and 3 complementarity determining regions (CDR1 to CDR3 respectively); or any suitable fragment of such an amino acid sequence (which will then usually contain at least some of the amino acid residues that form at least one of the CDR's, as further described herein).

The single variable domains of the invention may in particular be an immunoglobulin sequence or a suitable fragment thereof, and more in particular be an immunoglobulin variable domain sequence or a suitable fragment thereof, such as light chain variable domain sequence (e.g. a V_(L)-sequence) or a suitable fragment thereof; or a heavy chain variable domain sequence (e.g. a V_(H)-sequence) or a suitable fragment thereof. When the amino acid sequence of the invention is a heavy chain variable domain sequence, it may be a heavy chain variable domain sequence that is derived from a conventional four-chain antibody (such as, without limitation, a V_(H) sequence that is derived from a human antibody) or be a so-called V_(HH)-sequence (as defined herein) that is derived from a so-called “heavy chain antibody” (as defined herein).

However, it should be noted that the invention is not limited as to the origin of the amino acid sequence of the invention (or of the nucleotide sequence of the invention used to express it), nor as to the way that the amino acid sequence or nucleotide sequence of the invention is (or has been) generated or obtained. Thus, the single variable domains of the invention may be naturally occurring single variable domains (from any suitable species) or synthetic or semi-synthetic amino acid sequences. In a specific but non-limiting aspect of the invention, the amino acid sequence is a naturally occurring immunoglobulin sequence (from any suitable species) or a synthetic or semi-synthetic immunoglobulin sequence, including but not limited to “humanized” (as defined herein) immunoglobulin sequences (such as partially or fully humanized mouse or rabbit immunoglobulin sequences, and in particular partially or fully humanized VHH sequences or Nanobodies), “camelized” (as defined herein) immunoglobulin sequences, as well as immunoglobulin sequences that have been obtained by techniques such as affinity maturation (for example, starting from synthetic, random or naturally occurring immunoglobulin sequences), CDR grafting, veneering, combining fragments derived from different immunoglobulin sequences, PCR assembly using overlapping primers, and similar techniques for engineering immunoglobulin sequences well known to the skilled person; or any suitable combination of any of the foregoing. Reference is for example made to the standard handbooks, as well as to the further description and prior art mentioned herein.

Similarly, the nucleotide sequences of the invention may be naturally occurring nucleotide sequences or synthetic or semi-synthetic sequences, and may for example be sequences that are isolated by PCR from a suitable naturally occurring template (e.g. DNA or RNA isolated from a cell), nucleotide sequences that have been isolated from a library (and in particular, an expression library), nucleotide sequences that have been prepared by introducing mutations into a naturally occurring nucleotide sequence (using any suitable technique known per se, such as mismatch PCR), nucleotide sequence that have been prepared by PCR using overlapping primers, or nucleotide sequences that have been prepared using techniques for DNA synthesis known per se.

The amino acid sequence of the invention may in particular be a domain antibody (or an amino acid sequence that is suitable for use as a domain antibody), a single domain antibody (or an amino acid sequence that is suitable for use as a single domain antibody), a “dAb” (or an amino acid sequence that is suitable for use as a dAb) or a Nanobody™ (as defined herein, and including but not limited to a V_(HH) sequence); other single variable domains, or any suitable fragment of any one thereof. For a general description of (single) domain antibodies, reference is also made to the prior art cited above, as well as to EP 0 368 684. For the term “dAb's”, reference is for example made to Ward et al. (Nature 1989 Oct. 12; 341 (6242): 544-6), to Holt et al., Trends Biotechnol., 2003, 21(11):484-490; as well as to for example WO 06/030220, WO 06/003388 and other published patent applications of Domantis Ltd. It should also be noted that, although less preferred in the context of the present invention because they are not of mammalian origin, single domain antibodies or single variable domains can be derived from certain species of shark (for example, the so-called “IgNAR domains”, see for example WO 05/18629).

In particular, the amino acid sequence or single variable domain(s) of the invention may be a Nanobody® (as defined herein) or a suitable fragment thereof [Note: Nanobody®, Nanobodies® and Nanoclone® are registered trademarks of Ablynx N.V.]. Such Nanobodies directed against members of the Notch signalling pathway will also be referred to herein as “Nanobodies of the invention”.

For a general description of Nanobodies, reference is made to the further description below, as well as to the prior art cited herein. In this respect, it should however be noted that this description and the prior art mainly described Nanobodies of the so-called “V_(H)3 class” (i.e. Nanobodies with a high degree of sequence homology to human germline sequences of the V_(H)3 class such as DP-47, DP-51 or DP-29), which Nanobodies form a preferred aspect of this invention. It should however be noted that the invention in its broadest sense generally covers any type of Nanobody directed against members of the Notch signalling pathway, and for example also covers the Nanobodies belonging to the so-called “V_(H)4 class” (i.e. Nanobodies with a high degree of sequence homology to human germline sequences of the V_(H)4 class such as DP-78), as for example described in the U.S. provisional application 60/792,279 by Ablynx N.V. entitled “DP-78-like Nanobodies” filed on Apr. 14, 2006 (see also PCT/EP2007/003259).

Generally, Nanobodies (in particular VHH sequences and partially humanized Nanobodies) can in particular be characterized by the presence of one or more “Hallmark residues” (as described herein) in one or more of the framework sequences (again as further described herein).

Thus, generally, a Nanobody can be defined as an amino acid sequence with the (general) structure

-   -   FR1-CDR1-FR2-CDR2-FR3-CDR3-FR4         in which FR1 to FR4 refer to framework regions 1 to 4,         respectively, and in which CDR1 to CDR3 refer to the         complementarity determining regions 1 to 3, respectively, and in         which one or more of the Hallmark residues are as further         defined herein.

In particular, a Nanobody can be an amino acid sequence with the (general) structure

-   -   FR1-CDR1-FR2-CDR2-FR3-CDR3-FR4         in which FR1 to FR4 refer to framework regions 1 to 4,         respectively, and in which CDR1 to CDR3 refer to the         complementarity determining regions 1 to 3, respectively, and in         which the framework sequences are as further defined herein.

More in particular, a Nanobody can be an amino acid sequence with the (general) structure

-   -   FR1-CDR1-FR2-CDR2-FR3-CDR3-FR4         in which FR1 to FR4 refer to framework regions 1 to 4,         respectively, and in which CDR1 to CDR3 refer to the         complementarity determining regions 1 to 3, respectively, and in         which:

-   i) preferably one or more of the amino acid residues at positions     11, 37, 44, 45, 47, 83, 84, 103, 104 and 108 according to the Kabat     numbering are chosen from the Hallmark residues mentioned in Table     A-3 below;     and in which:

-   ii) said amino acid sequence has at least 80% amino acid identity     with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: 1     to 22, in which for the purposes of determining the degree of amino     acid identity, the amino acid residues that form the CDR sequences     (indicated with X in the sequences of SEQ ID NO's: 1 to 22) are     disregarded.

In these Nanobodies, the CDR sequences are generally as further defined herein.

Thus, the invention also relates to such Nanobodies that can bind to (as defined herein) and/or are directed against members of the Notch signalling pathway, to suitable fragments thereof, as well as to single variable domains that comprise or essentially consist of one or more of such Nanobodies and/or suitable fragments.

SEQ ID NO's [255-269] give the single variable domains of a number of VHH sequences that have been raised against members of the Notch signalling pathway.

In particular, the invention in some specific aspects provides:

-   -   single variable domains that are directed against (as defined         herein) members of the Notch signalling pathway and that have at         least 80%, preferably at least 85%, such as 90% or 95% or more         sequence identity with at least one of the single variable         domains of SEQ ID NO's: [255-269] (see Table A-1A for reference         to sequences, same reference to the SEQ ID NO's: [255-269]         applies throughout of the application even if Table A-1A         reference is not given). These single variable domains may         further be such that they neutralize binding of the cognate         ligand to members of the Notch signalling pathway; and/or         compete with the cognate ligand for binding to members of the         Notch signalling pathway; and/or are directed against an         interaction site (as defined herein) on members of the Notch         signalling pathway (such as the ligand binding site);     -   single variable domains that cross-block (as defined herein) the         binding of at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID         NO's: [255-269] to members of the Notch signalling pathway         and/or that compete with at least one of the single variable         domains of SEQ ID NO's: [255-269] for binding to members of the         Notch signalling pathway. Again, these single variable domains         may further be such that they neutralize binding of the cognate         ligand to members of the Notch signalling pathway; and/or         compete with the cognate ligand for binding to members of the         Notch signalling pathway; and/or are directed against an         interaction site (as defined herein) on members of the Notch         signalling pathway (such as the ligand binding site);         which single variable domains may be as further described herein         (and may for example be Nanobodies); as well as single variable         domains of the invention that comprise one or more of such         single variable domains (which may be as further described         herein, and may for example be bispecific and/or biparatopic         single variable domains as described herein), and nucleic acid         sequences that encode such single variable domains. Such single         variable domains do not include any naturally occurring ligands.

In some other specific aspects, the invention provides:

-   -   single variable domains of the invention that are specific for         (as defined herein) FcgR3, FcgR1, FcgR2 and pIgR;         which single variable domains of the invention may be as further         described herein (and may for example be Nanobodies); as well as         single variable domains of the invention that comprise one or         more of such single variable domains (which may be as further         described herein, and may for example be bispecific and/or         biparatopic single variable domains as described herein), and         nucleic acid sequences that encode such single variable domains.         Such single variable domains do not include any naturally         occurring ligands.

Accordingly, some particularly preferred Nanobodies of the invention are Nanobodies which can bind (as further defined herein) to and/or are directed against to members of the Notch signalling pathway and which:

-   i) have at least 80% amino acid identity with at least one of the     single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [255-269], in which for the     purposes of determining the degree of amino acid identity, the amino     acid residues that form the CDR sequences are disregarded. In this     respect, reference is also made to Table A-1B (same reference to the     SEQ ID NO's of the frameworks applies throughout of the application     even if Table A-1B reference is not given), which lists the     framework 1 sequences (SEQ ID NO's: [126-143]), framework 2     sequences (SEQ ID NO's: [162-179]), framework 3 sequences (SEQ ID     NO's: [198-215]) and framework 4 sequences (SEQ ID NO's: [234-251])     of the Nanobodies of SEQ ID NO's: [255-269] (with respect to the     amino acid residues at positions 1 to 4 and 27 to 30 of the     framework 1 sequences, reference is also made to the comments made     below. Thus, for determining the degree of amino acid identity,     these residues are preferably disregarded);     and in which: -   ii) preferably one or more of the amino acid residues at positions     11, 37, 44, 45, 47, 83, 84, 103, 104 and 108 according to the Kabat     numbering are chosen from the Hallmark residues mentioned in Table     A-3 below.

In these Nanobodies, the CDR sequences are generally as further defined herein.

Again, such Nanobodies may be derived in any suitable manner and from any suitable source, and may for example be naturally occurring VHH sequences (i.e. from a suitable species of Camelid) or synthetic or semi-synthetic amino acid sequences, including but not limited to “humanized” (as defined herein) Nanobodies, “camelized” (as defined herein) immunoglobulin sequences (and in particular camelized heavy chain variable domain sequences), as well as Nanobodies that have been obtained by techniques such as affinity maturation (for example, starting from synthetic, random or naturally occurring immunoglobulin sequences), CDR grafting, veneering, combining fragments derived from different immunoglobulin sequences, PCR assembly using overlapping primers, and similar techniques for engineering immunoglobulin sequences well known to the skilled person; or any suitable combination of any of the foregoing as further described herein. Also, when a Nanobody comprises a V_(HH) sequence, said Nanobody may be suitably humanized, as further described herein, so as to provide one or more further (partially or fully) humanized Nanobodies of the invention. Similarly, when a Nanobody comprises a synthetic or semi-synthetic sequence (such as a partially humanized sequence), said Nanobody may optionally be further suitably humanized, again as described herein, again so as to provide one or more further (partially or fully) humanized Nanobodies of the invention.

In particular, humanized Nanobodies may be single variable domains that are as generally defined for Nanobodies in the previous paragraphs, but in which at least one amino acid residue is present (and in particular, in at least one of the framework residues) that is and/or that corresponds to a humanizing substitution (as defined herein). Some preferred, but non-limiting humanizing substitutions (and suitable combinations thereof) will become clear to the skilled person based on the disclosure herein. In addition, or alternatively, other potentially useful humanizing substitutions can be ascertained by comparing the sequence of the framework regions of a naturally occurring V_(HH) sequence with the corresponding framework sequence of one or more closely related human V_(H) sequences, after which one or more of the potentially useful humanizing substitutions (or combinations thereof) thus determined can be introduced into said V_(HH) sequence (in any manner known per se, as further described herein) and the resulting humanized VHH sequences can be tested for affinity for the target, for stability, for ease and level of expression, and/or for other desired properties. In this way, by means of a limited degree of trial and error, other suitable humanizing substitutions (or suitable combinations thereof) can be determined by the skilled person based on the disclosure herein. Also, based on the foregoing, (the framework regions of) a Nanobody may be partially humanized or fully humanized.

Some particularly preferred humanized Nanobodies of the invention are humanized variants of the Nanobodies of SEQ ID NO's: [255-269].

Thus, some other preferred Nanobodies of the invention are Nanobodies which can bind (as further defined herein) to members of the Notch signalling pathway and which:

-   i) are a humanized variant of one of the single variable domains of     SEQ ID NO's: [255-269]; and/or -   ii) have at least 80% amino acid identity with at least one of the     single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [255-269] in which for the     purposes of determining the degree of amino acid identity, the amino     acid residues that form the CDR sequences are disregarded;     and in which: -   i) preferably one or more of the amino acid residues at positions     11, 37, 44, 45, 47, 83, 84, 103, 104 and 108 according to the Kabat     numbering are chosen from the Hallmark residues mentioned in Table     A-3 below.

According to another specific aspect of the invention, the invention provides a number of stretches of amino acid residues (i.e. small peptides) that are particularly suited for binding to members for the Notch signalling pathway. These stretches of amino acid residues may be present in, and/or may be corporated into, an amino acid sequence of the invention, in particular in such a way that they form (part of) the antigen binding site of an amino acid sequence of the invention. As these stretches of amino acid residues were first generated as CDR sequences of heavy chain antibodies or VHH sequences that were raised against members of the Notch signalling pathway (or may be based on and/or derived from such CDR sequences, as further described herein), they will also generally be referred to herein as “CDR sequences” (i.e. as CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, respectively). It should however be noted that the invention in its broadest sense is not limited to a specific structural role or function that these stretches of amino acid residues may have in an amino acid sequence of the invention, as long as these stretches of amino acid residues allow the amino acid sequence of the invention to bind to members for the Notch signalling pathway. Thus, generally, the invention in its broadest sense comprises any amino acid sequence that is capable of binding to members of the Notch signalling pathway and that comprises one or more CDR sequences as described herein, and in particular a suitable combination of two or more such CDR sequences, that are suitably linked to each other via one or more further amino acid sequences, such that the entire amino acid sequence forms a binding domain and/or binding unit that is capable of binding to members for the Notch signalling pathway. It should however also be noted that the presence of only one such CDR sequence in an amino acid sequence of the invention may by itself already be sufficient to provide an amino acid sequence of the invention that is capable of binding to members for the Notch signalling pathway, reference is for example again made to the so-called “Expedite fragments” described in WO 03/050531.

Thus, in another specific, but non-limiting aspect, the amino acid sequence of the invention may be an amino acid sequence that comprises at least one amino acid sequence that is chosen from the group consisting of the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 that are described herein in Table A-1B (same reference to the SEQ ID NO's of the CDRs applies throughout of the application even if Table A-1B reference is not given). In particular, an amino acid sequence of the invention may be an amino acid sequence that comprises at least one antigen binding site, wherein said antigen binding site comprises at least one amino acid sequence that is chosen from the group consisting of the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 that are described herein (or any suitable combination thereof).

Generally, in this aspect of the invention, the amino acid sequence of the invention may be any amino acid sequence that comprises at least one stretch of amino acid residues, in which said stretch of amino acid residues has an amino acid sequence that corresponds to the sequence of at least one of the CDR sequences described herein. Such an amino acid sequence may or may not comprise an immunoglobulin fold. For example, and without limitation, such an amino acid sequence may be a suitable fragment of an immunoglobulin sequence that comprises at least one such CDR sequence, but that is not large enough to form a (complete) immunoglobulin fold (reference is for example again made to the “Expedite fragments” described in WO 03/050531). Alternatively, such an amino acid sequence may be a suitable “protein scaffold” that comprises least one stretch of amino acid residues that corresponds to such a CDR sequence (i.e. as part of its antigen binding site). Suitable scaffolds for presenting single variable domains will be clear to the skilled person, and for example comprise, without limitation, to binding scaffolds based on or derived from immunoglobulins (i.e. other than the immunoglobulin sequences already described herein), protein scaffolds derived from protein A domains (such as Affibodies™), tendamistat, fibronectin, lipocalin, CTLA-4, T-cell receptors, designed ankyrin repeats, avimers and PDZ domains (Binz et al., Nat. Biotech 2005, Vol 23:1257), and binding moieties based on DNA or RNA including but not limited to DNA or RNA aptamers (Ulrich et al., Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2006 9(8):619-32).

Again, any amino acid sequence of the invention that comprises one or more of these CDR sequences is preferably such that it can specifically bind (as defined herein) to members for the Notch signalling pathway, and more in particular such that it can bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway with an affinity (suitably measured and/or expressed as a K_(D)-value (actual or apparent), a K_(A)-value (actual or apparent), a k_(on)-rate and/or a k_(off)-rate, or alternatively as an IC₅₀ value, as further described herein), that is as defined herein.

More in particular, the single variable domains according to this aspect of the invention may be any amino acid sequence that comprises at least one antigen binding site, wherein said antigen binding site comprises at least two single variable domains that are chosen from the group consisting of the CDR1 described herein, the CDR2 described herein and the CDR3 described herein, such that (i) when the first amino acid sequence is chosen from the CDR1 described herein, the second amino acid sequence is chosen from the CDR2 described herein or the CDR3 described herein; (ii) when the first amino acid sequence is chosen from the CDR2 described herein, the second amino acid sequence is chosen from the CDR1 described herein or the CDR3 described herein; or (iii) when the first amino acid sequence is chosen from the CDR2 described herein, the second amino acid sequence is chosen from the CDR1 described herein or the CDR3 described herein.

Even more in particular, the single variable domains of the invention may be single variable domains that comprise at least one antigen binding site, wherein said antigen binding site comprises at least three single variable domains that are chosen from the group consisting of the CDR1 described herein, the CDR2 described herein and the CDR3 described herein, such that the first amino acid sequence is chosen from the CDR1 described herein, the second amino acid sequence is chosen from the CDR2 described herein, and the third amino acid sequence is chosen from the CDR3 described herein. Preferred combinations of CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 will become clear from the further description herein. As will be clear to the skilled person, such an amino acid sequence is preferably an immunoglobulin sequence (as further described herein), but it may for example also be any other amino acid sequence that comprises a suitable scaffold for presenting said CDR sequences.

Thus, in one specific, but non-limiting aspect, the invention relates to an amino acid sequence directed against members for the Notch signalling pathway, that comprises one or more stretches of amino acid residues chosen from the group consisting of:

-   a) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [144-161]; -   b) single variable domains that have at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID     NO's: [144-161]; -   c) single variable domains that have 3, 2, or 1 amino acid     difference with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ     ID NO's: [144-161]; -   d) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [180-197]; -   e) single variable domains that have at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID     NO's: [180-197]; -   f) single variable domains that have 3, 2, or 1 amino acid     difference with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ     ID NO's: [180-197]; -   g) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [216-233]; -   h) single variable domains that have at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID     NO's: [216-233]; -   i) single variable domains that have 3, 2, or 1 amino acid     difference with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ     ID NO's: [216-233];     or any suitable combination thereof.

When an amino acid sequence of the invention contains one or more single variable domains according to b) and/or c):

-   i) any amino acid substitution in such an amino acid sequence     according to b) and/or c) is preferably, and compared to the     corresponding amino acid sequence according to a), a conservative     amino acid substitution, (as defined herein);     and/or -   ii) the amino acid sequence according to b) and/or c) preferably     only contains amino acid substitutions, and no amino acid deletions     or insertions, compared to the corresponding amino acid sequence     according to a);     and/or -   iii) the amino acid sequence according to b) and/or c) may be an     amino acid sequence that is derived from an amino acid sequence     according to a) by means of affinity maturation using one or more     techniques of affinity maturation known per se.

Similarly, when an amino acid sequence of the invention contains one or more single variable domains according to e) and/or f):

-   i) any amino acid substitution in such an amino acid sequence     according to e) and/or f) is preferably, and compared to the     corresponding amino acid sequence according to d), a conservative     amino acid substitution, (as defined herein);     and/or -   ii) the amino acid sequence according to e) and/or f) preferably     only contains amino acid substitutions, and no amino acid deletions     or insertions, compared to the corresponding amino acid sequence     according to d);     and/or -   iii) the amino acid sequence according to e) and/or f) may be an     amino acid sequence that is derived from an amino acid sequence     according to d) by means of affinity maturation using one or more     techniques of affinity maturation known per se.

Also, similarly, when an amino acid sequence of the invention contains one or more single variable domains according to h) and/or i):

-   i) any amino acid substitution in such an amino acid sequence     according to h) and/or i) is preferably, and compared to the     corresponding amino acid sequence according to g), a conservative     amino acid substitution, (as defined herein);     and/or -   ii) the amino acid sequence according to h) and/or i) preferably     only contains amino acid substitutions, and no amino acid deletions     or insertions, compared to the corresponding amino acid sequence     according to g);     and/or -   iii) the amino acid sequence according to h) and/or i) may be an     amino acid sequence that is derived from an amino acid sequence     according to g) by means of affinity maturation using one or more     techniques of affinity maturation known per se.

It should be understood that the last preceding paragraphs also generally apply to any single variable domains of the invention that comprise one or more single variable domains according to b), c), e), f), h) or i), respectively.

In this specific aspect, the amino acid sequence preferably comprises one or more stretches of amino acid residues chosen from the group consisting of:

-   i) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [144-161]; -   ii) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [180-197]; and -   iii) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [216-233];     or any suitable combination thereof.

Also, preferably, in such an amino acid sequence, at least one of said stretches of amino acid residues forms part of the antigen binding site for binding against members for the Notch signalling pathway.

In a more specific, but again non-limiting aspect, the invention relates to an amino acid sequence directed against members for the Notch signalling pathway that comprise two or more stretches of amino acid residues chosen from the group consisting of:

-   a) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [144-161]; -   b) single variable domains that have at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID     NO's: [144-161]; -   c) single variable domains that have 3, 2, or 1 amino acid     difference with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ     ID NO's: [144-161]; -   d) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [180-197]; -   e) single variable domains that have at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID     NO's: [180-197]; -   f) single variable domains that have 3, 2, or 1 amino acid     difference with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ     ID NO's: [180-197]; -   g) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [216-233]; -   h) single variable domains that have at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID     NO's: [216-233]; -   i) single variable domains that have 3, 2, or 1 amino acid     difference with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ     ID NO's: [216-233];     such that (i) when the first stretch of amino acid residues     corresponds to one of the single variable domains according to     a), b) or c), the second stretch of amino acid residues corresponds     to one of the single variable domains according to d), e), f),     g), h) or i); (ii) when the first stretch of amino acid residues     corresponds to one of the single variable domains according to     d), e) or f), the second stretch of amino acid residues corresponds     to one of the single variable domains according to a), b), c),     g), h) or i); or (iii) when the first stretch of amino acid residues     corresponds to one of the single variable domains according to     g), h) or i), the second stretch of amino acid residues corresponds     to one of the single variable domains according to a), b), c),     d), e) or f).

In this specific aspect, the amino acid sequence preferably comprises two or more stretches of amino acid residues chosen from the group consisting of:

-   i) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [144-161]; -   ii) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [180-197]; and -   iii) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [216-233];     such that, (i) when the first stretch of amino acid residues     corresponds to one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's:     [144-161], the second stretch of amino acid residues corresponds to     one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [180-197] or of     SEQ ID NO's: [216-233]; (ii) when the first stretch of amino acid     residues corresponds to one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID     NO's: [180-197], the second stretch of amino acid residues     corresponds to one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's:     [144-161] or of SEQ ID NO's: [216-233]; or (iii) when the first     stretch of amino acid residues corresponds to one of the single     variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [216-233], the second stretch of     amino acid residues corresponds to one of the single variable     domains of SEQ ID NO's: [144-161] or of SEQ ID NO's: [180-197].

Also, in such an amino acid sequence, the at least two stretches of amino acid residues again preferably form part of the antigen binding site for binding against members for the Notch signalling pathway.

In an even more specific, but non-limiting aspect, the invention relates to an amino acid sequence directed against members for the Notch signalling pathway, that comprises three or more stretches of amino acid residues, in which the first stretch of amino acid residues is chosen from the group consisting of:

-   a) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [144-161]; -   b) single variable domains that have at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID     NO's: [144-161]; -   c) single variable domains that have 3, 2, or 1 amino acid     difference with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ     ID NO's: [144-161];     the second stretch of amino acid residues is chosen from the group     consisting of: -   d) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [180-197]; -   e) single variable domains that have at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID     NO's: [180-197]; -   f) single variable domains that have 3, 2, or 1 amino acid     difference with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ     ID NO's: [180-197];     and the third stretch of amino acid residues is chosen from the     group consisting of: -   g) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [216-233]; -   h) single variable domains that have at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID     NO's: [216-233]; -   i) single variable domains that have 3, 2, or 1 amino acid     difference with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ     ID NO's: [216-233].

Preferably, in this specific aspect, the first stretch of amino acid residues is chosen from the group consisting of the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [144-161]; the second stretch of amino acid residues is chosen from the group consisting of the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [180-197]; and the third stretch of amino acid residues is chosen from the group consisting of the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [216-233].

Again, preferably, in such an amino acid sequence, the at least three stretches of amino acid residues forms part of the antigen binding site for binding against members for the Notch signalling pathway.

Preferred combinations of such stretches of single variable domains will become clear from the further disclosure herein.

Preferably, in such single variable domains the CDR sequences have at least 70% amino acid identity, preferably at least 80% amino acid identity, more preferably at least 90% amino acid identity, such as 95% amino acid identity or more or even essentially 100% amino acid identity with the CDR sequences of at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [255-269]. This degree of amino acid identity can for example be determined by determining the degree of amino acid identity (in a manner described herein) between said amino acid sequence and one or more of the sequences of SEQ ID NO's: [255-269], in which the amino acid residues that form the framework regions are disregarded. Also, such single variable domains of the invention can be as further described herein.

Also, such single variable domains are preferably such that they can specifically bind (as defined herein) to members for the Notch signalling pathway; and more in particular bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway with an affinity (suitably measured and/or expressed as a K_(D)-value (actual or apparent), a K_(A)-value (actual or apparent), a k_(on)-rate and/or a k_(off)-rate, or alternatively as an IC₅₀ value, as further described herein) that is as defined herein.

When the amino acid sequence of the invention essentially consists of 4 framework regions (FR1 to FR4, respectively) and 3 complementarity determining regions (CDR1 to CDR3, respectively), the amino acid sequence of the invention is preferably such that:

-   -   CDR1 is chosen from the group consisting of:

-   a) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [144-161];

-   b) single variable domains that have at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID     NO's: [144-161];

-   c) single variable domains that have 3, 2, or 1 amino acid     difference with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ     ID NO's: [144-161];     and/or     -   CDR2 is chosen from the group consisting of:

-   d) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [180-197];

-   e) single variable domains that have at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID     NO's: [180-197];

-   f) single variable domains that have 3, 2, or 1 amino acid     difference with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ     ID NO's: [180-197];     and/or     -   CDR3 is chosen from the group consisting of:

-   g) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [216-233];

-   h) single variable domains that have at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID     NO's: [216-233];

-   i) single variable domains that have 3, 2, or 1 amino acid     difference with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ     ID NO's: [216-233].

In particular, such an amino acid sequence of the invention may be such that CDR1 is chosen from the group consisting of the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [144-161]; and/or CDR2 is chosen from the group consisting of the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [180-197]; and/or CDR3 is chosen from the group consisting of the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [216-233].

In particular, when the amino acid sequence of the invention essentially consists of 4 framework regions (FR1 to FR4, respectively) and 3 complementarity determining regions (CDR1 to CDR3, respectively), the amino acid sequence of the invention is preferably such that:

-   -   CDR1 is chosen from the group consisting of:

-   a) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [144-161];

-   b) single variable domains that have at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID     NO's: [144-161];

-   c) single variable domains that have 3, 2, or 1 amino acid     difference with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ     ID NO's: [144-161];     and     -   CDR2 is chosen from the group consisting of:

-   d) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [180-197];

-   e) single variable domains that have at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID     NO's: [180-197];

-   f) single variable domains that have 3, 2, or 1 amino acid     difference with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ     ID NO's: [180-197];     and     -   CDR3 is chosen from the group consisting of:

-   g) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [216-233];

-   h) single variable domains that have at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID     NO's: [216-233];

-   i) single variable domains that have 3, 2, or 1 amino acid     difference with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ     ID NO's: [216-233]; or any suitable fragment of such an amino acid     sequence

In particular, such an amino acid sequence of the invention may be such that CDR1 is chosen from the group consisting of the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [144-161]; and CDR2 is chosen from the group consisting of the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [180-197]; and CDR3 is chosen from the group consisting of the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [216-233].

Again, preferred combinations of CDR sequences will become clear from the further description herein.

Also, such single variable domains are preferably such that they can specifically bind (as defined herein) to members for the Notch signalling pathway; and more in particular bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway with an affinity (suitably measured and/or expressed as a K_(D)-value (actual or apparent), a K_(A)-value (actual or apparent), a k_(on)-rate and/or a k_(off)-rate, or alternatively as an IC₅₀ value, as further described herein) that is as defined herein.

In one preferred, but non-limiting aspect, the invention relates to an amino acid sequence that essentially consists of 4 framework regions (FR1 to FR4, respectively) and 3 complementarity determining regions (CDR1 to CDR3, respectively), in which the CDR sequences of said amino acid sequence have at least 70% amino acid identity, preferably at least 80% amino acid identity, more preferably at least 90% amino acid identity, such as 95% amino acid identity or more or even essentially 100% amino acid identity with the CDR sequences of at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [255-269]. This degree of amino acid identity can for example be determined by determining the degree of amino acid identity (in a manner described herein) between said amino acid sequence and one or more of the sequences of SEQ ID NO's: [255-269], in which the amino acid residues that form the framework regions are disregarded. Such single variable domains of the invention can be as further described herein.

In such an amino acid sequence of the invention, the framework sequences may be any suitable framework sequences, and examples of suitable framework sequences will be clear to the skilled person, for example on the basis the standard handbooks and the further disclosure and prior art mentioned herein.

The framework sequences are preferably (a suitable combination of) immunoglobulin framework sequences or framework sequences that have been derived from immunoglobulin framework sequences (for example, by humanization or camelization). For example, the framework sequences may be framework sequences derived from a light chain variable domain (e.g. a V_(L)-sequence) and/or from a heavy chain variable domain (e.g. a V_(H)-sequence). In one particularly preferred aspect, the framework sequences are either framework sequences that have been derived from a V_(HH)-sequence (in which said framework sequences may optionally have been partially or fully humanized) or are conventional V_(H) sequences that have been camelized (as defined herein).

The framework sequences are preferably such that the amino acid sequence of the invention is a domain antibody (or an amino acid sequence that is suitable for use as a domain antibody); is a single domain antibody (or an amino acid sequence that is suitable for use as a single domain antibody); is a “dAb” (or an amino acid sequence that is suitable for use as a dAb); or is a Nanobody™ (including but not limited to V_(HH) sequence). Again, suitable framework sequences will be clear to the skilled person, for example on the basis the standard handbooks and the further disclosure and prior art mentioned herein.

In particular, the framework sequences present in the single variable domains of the invention may contain one or more of Hallmark residues (as defined herein), such that the amino acid sequence of the invention is a Nanobody™. Some preferred, but non-limiting examples of (suitable combinations of) such framework sequences will become clear from the further disclosure herein.

Again, as generally described herein for the single variable domains of the invention, it is also possible to use suitable fragments (or combinations of fragments) of any of the foregoing, such as fragments that contain one or more CDR sequences, suitably flanked by and/or linked via one or more framework sequences (for example, in the same order as these CDR's and framework sequences may occur in the full-sized immunoglobulin sequence from which the fragment has been derived). Such fragments may also again be such that they comprise or can form an immunoglobulin fold, or alternatively be such that they do not comprise or cannot form an immunoglobulin fold.

In one specific aspect, such a fragment comprises a single CDR sequence as described herein (and in particular a CDR3 sequence), that is flanked on each side by (part of) a framework sequence (and in particular, part of the framework sequence(s) that, in the immunoglobulin sequence from which the fragment is derived, are adjacent to said CDR sequence. For example, a CDR3 sequence may be preceded by (part of) a FR3 sequence and followed by (part of) a FR4 sequence). Such a fragment may also contain a disulphide bridge, and in particular a disulphide bridge that links the two framework regions that precede and follow the CDR sequence, respectively (for the purpose of forming such a disulphide bridge, cysteine residues that naturally occur in said framework regions may be used, or alternatively cysteine residues may be synthetically added to or introduced into said framework regions). For a further description of these “Expedite fragments”, reference is again made to WO 03/050531, as well as to the US provisional application of Ablynx N.V. entitled “Peptides capable of binding to serum proteins” of Ablynx N.V. (inventors: Revets, Hilde Adi Pierrette; Kolkman, Joost Alexander; and Hoogenboom, Hendricus Renerus Jacobus Mattheus) filed on Dec. 5, 2006 (see also PCT/EP2007/063348).

In another aspect, the invention relates to a compound or construct, and in particular a protein or polypeptide (also referred to herein as a “compound of the invention” or “polypeptide of the invention”, respectively) that comprises or essentially consists of one or more single variable domains of the invention (or suitable fragments thereof), and optionally further comprises one or more other groups, residues, moieties or binding units. As will become clear to the skilled person from the further disclosure herein, such further groups, residues, moieties, binding units or single variable domains may or may not provide further functionality to the amino acid sequence of the invention (and/or to the compound or construct in which it is present) and may or may not modify the properties of the amino acid sequence of the invention.

For example, such further groups, residues, moieties or binding units may be one or more additional amino acid sequences, such that the compound or construct is a (fusion) protein or (fusion) polypeptide. In a preferred but non-limiting aspect, said one or more other groups, residues, moieties or binding units are immunoglobulin sequences. Even more preferably, said one or more other groups, residues, moieties or binding units are chosen from the group consisting of domain antibodies, single variable domains that are suitable for use as a domain antibody, single domain antibodies, single variable domains that are suitable for use as a single domain antibody, “dAb”'s, single variable domains that are suitable for use as a dAb, or Nanobodies.

Alternatively, such groups, residues, moieties or binding units may for example be chemical groups, residues, moieties, which may or may not by themselves be biologically and/or pharmacologically active. For example, and without limitation, such groups may be linked to the one or more single variable domains of the invention so as to provide a “derivative” of an amino acid sequence or polypeptide of the invention, as further described herein.

Also within the scope of the present invention are compounds or constructs, that comprises or essentially consists of one or more derivatives as described herein, and optionally further comprises one or more other groups, residues, moieties or binding units, optionally linked via one or more linkers. Preferably, said one or more other groups, residues, moieties or binding units are amino acid sequences.

In the compounds or constructs described above, the one or more single variable domains of the invention and the one or more groups, residues, moieties or binding units may be linked directly to each other and/or via one or more suitable linkers or spacers. For example, when the one or more groups, residues, moieties or binding units are amino acid sequences, the linkers may also be amino acid sequences, so that the resulting compound or construct is a fusion (protein) or fusion (polypeptide).

As will be clear from the further description above and herein, this means that the single variable domains of the invention can be used as “building blocks” to form single variable domains of the invention, i.e. by suitably combining them with other groups, residues, moieties or binding units, in order to form compounds or constructs as described herein (such as, without limitations, the biparatopic. bi/multivalent and bi/multispecific single variable domains of the invention described herein) which combine within one molecule one or more desired properties or biological functions.

The compounds or single variable domains of the invention can generally be prepared by a method which comprises at least one step of suitably linking the one or more single variable domains of the invention to the one or more further groups, residues, moieties or binding units, optionally via the one or more suitable linkers, so as to provide the compound or polypeptide of the invention. Single variable domains of the invention can also be prepared by a method which generally comprises at least the steps of providing a nucleic acid that encodes a polypeptide of the invention, expressing said nucleic acid in a suitable manner, and recovering the expressed polypeptide of the invention. Such methods can be performed in a manner known per se, which will be clear to the skilled person, for example on the basis of the methods and techniques further described herein.

The process of designing/selecting and/or preparing a compound or polypeptide of the invention, starting from an amino acid sequence of the invention, is also referred to herein as “formatting” said amino acid sequence of the invention; and an amino acid of the invention that is made part of a compound or polypeptide of the invention is said to be “formatted” or to be “in the format of” said compound or polypeptide of the invention. Examples of ways in which an amino acid sequence of the invention can be formatted and examples of such formats will be clear to the skilled person based on the disclosure herein; and such formatted single variable domains form a further aspect of the invention.

In one specific aspect of the invention, a compound of the invention or a polypeptide of the invention may have an increased half-life, compared to the corresponding amino acid sequence of the invention. Some preferred, but non-limiting examples of such compounds and single variable domains will become clear to the skilled person based on the further disclosure herein, and for example comprise single variable domains or single variable domains of the invention that have been chemically modified to increase the half-life thereof (for example, by means of pegylation); single variable domains of the invention that comprise at least one additional binding site for binding to a serum protein (such as serum albumin); or single variable domains of the invention that comprise at least one amino acid sequence of the invention that is linked to at least one moiety (and in particular at least one amino acid sequence) that increases the half-life of the amino acid sequence of the invention. Examples of single variable domains of the invention that comprise such half-life extending moieties or single variable domains will become clear to the skilled person based on the further disclosure herein; and for example include, without limitation, single variable domains in which the one or more single variable domains of the invention are suitable linked to one or more serum proteins or fragments thereof (such as (human) serum albumin or suitable fragments thereof) or to one or more binding units that can bind to serum proteins (such as, for example, domain antibodies, single variable domains that are suitable for use as a domain antibody, single domain antibodies, single variable domains that are suitable for use as a single domain antibody, “dAb”'s, single variable domains that are suitable for use as a dAb, or Nanobodies that can bind to serum proteins such as serum albumin (such as human serum albumin), serum immunoglobulins such as IgG, or transferrin; reference is made to the further description and references mentioned herein); single variable domains in which an amino acid sequence of the invention is linked to an Fc portion (such as a human Fc) or a suitable part or fragment thereof; or single variable domains in which the one or more single variable domains of the invention are suitable linked to one or more small proteins or peptides that can bind to serum proteins (such as, without limitation, the proteins and peptides described in WO 91/01743, WO 01/45746, WO 02/076489 and to the US provisional application of Ablynx N.V. entitled “Peptides capable of binding to serum proteins” of Ablynx N.V. filed on Dec. 5, 2006 (see also PCT/EP2007/063348).

Generally, the compounds or single variable domains of the invention with increased half-life preferably have a half-life that is at least 1.5 times, preferably at least 2 times, such as at least 5 times, for example at least 10 times or more than 20 times, greater than the half-life of the corresponding amino acid sequence of the invention per se. For example, the compounds or single variable domains of the invention with increased half-life may have a half-life that is increased with more than 1 hours, preferably more than 2 hours, more preferably more than 6 hours, such as more than 12 hours, or even more than 24, 48 or 72 hours, compared to the corresponding amino acid sequence of the invention per se.

In a preferred, but non-limiting aspect of the invention, such compounds or single variable domains of the invention have a serum half-life that is increased with more than 1 hours, preferably more than 2 hours, more preferably more than 6 hours, such as more than 12 hours, or even more than 24, 48 or 72 hours, compared to the corresponding amino acid sequence of the invention per se.

In another preferred, but non-limiting aspect of the invention, such compounds or single variable domains of the invention exhibit a serum half-life in human of at least about 12 hours, preferably at least 24 hours, more preferably at least 48 hours, even more preferably at least 72 hours or more. For example, compounds or single variable domains of the invention may have a half-life of at least 5 days (such as about 5 to 10 days), preferably at least 9 days (such as about 9 to 14 days), more preferably at least about 10 days (such as about 10 to 15 days), or at least about 11 days (such as about 11 to 16 days), more preferably at least about 12 days (such as about 12 to 18 days or more), or more than 14 days (such as about 14 to 19 days).

In another aspect, the invention relates to a nucleic acid that encodes an amino acid sequence of the invention or a polypeptide of the invention (or a suitable fragment thereof). Such a nucleic acid will also be referred to herein as a “nucleic acid of the invention” and may for example be in the form of a genetic construct, as further described herein.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a host or host cell that expresses (or that under suitable circumstances is capable of expressing) an amino acid sequence of the invention and/or a polypeptide of the invention; and/or that contains a nucleic acid of the invention. Some preferred but non-limiting examples of such hosts or host cells will become clear from the further description herein.

The invention further relates to a product or composition containing or comprising at least one amino acid sequence of the invention, at least one polypeptide of the invention (or a suitable fragment thereof) and/or at least one nucleic acid of the invention, and optionally one or more further components of such constructs known per se, i.e. depending on the intended use of the composition. Such a product or composition may for example be a pharmaceutical composition (as described herein), a veterinary composition or a product or composition for diagnostic use (as also described herein). Some preferred but non-limiting examples of such products or constructs will become clear from the further description herein.

The invention also relates to the use of an amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention, or of a composition comprising the same, in (methods or constructs for) modulating members of the Notch signalling pathway, either in vitro (e.g. in an in vitro or cellular assay) or in vivo (e.g. in an a single cell or in a multicellular organism, and in particular in a mammal, and more in particular in a human being, such as in a human being that is at risk of or suffers from cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and immunomodulatory diseases).

The invention also relates to methods for modulating members of the Notch signalling pathway, either in vitro (e.g. in an in vitro or cellular assay) or in vivo (e.g. in an a single cell or multicellular organism, and in particular in a mammal, and more in particular in a human being, such as in a human being that is at risk of or suffers from cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and immunomodulatory diseases), which method comprises at least the step of contacting members of the Notch signalling pathway with at least one amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention, or with a composition comprising the same, in a manner and in an amount suitable to modulate members of the Notch signalling pathway, with at least one amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention.

The invention also relates to the use of an one amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention in the preparation of a composition (such as, without limitation, a pharmaceutical composition or preparation as further described herein) for modulating members of the Notch signalling pathway, either in vitro (e.g. in an in vitro or cellular assay) or in vivo (e.g. in an a single cell or multicellular organism, and in particular in a mammal, and more in particular in a human being, such as in a human being that is at risk of or suffers from cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and immunomodulatory diseases).

In the context of the present invention, “modulating” or “to modulate” generally means either reducing or inhibiting the activity of, or alternatively increasing the activity of, members of the Notch signalling pathway, as measured using a suitable in vitro, cellular or in vivo assay (such as those mentioned herein). In particular, “modulating” or “to modulate” may mean either reducing or inhibiting the activity of, or alternatively increasing the activity of members of the Notch signalling pathway, as measured using a suitable in vitro, cellular or in vivo assay (such as those mentioned herein), by at least 1%, preferably at least 5%, such as at least 10% or at least 25%, for example by at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, or 90% or more, compared to activity of members of the Notch signalling pathway in the same assay under the same conditions but without the presence of the amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention.

As will be clear to the skilled person, “modulating” may also involve effecting a change (which may either be an increase or a decrease) in affinity, avidity, specificity and/or selectivity of members of the Notch signalling pathway for one or more of its targets, ligands or substrates; and/or effecting a change (which may either be an increase or a decrease) in the sensitivity of members of the Notch signalling pathway for one or more conditions in the medium or surroundings in which members of the Notch signalling pathway is present (such as pH, ion strength, the presence of co-factors, etc.), compared to the same conditions but without the presence of the amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention. As will be clear to the skilled person, this may again be determined in any suitable manner and/or using any suitable assay known per se, such as the assays described herein or in the prior art cited herein.

“Modulating” may also mean effecting a change (i.e. an activity as an agonist or as an antagonist, respectively) with respect to one or more biological or physiological mechanisms, effects, responses, functions, pathways or activities in which members of the Notch signalling pathway (or in which its substrate(s), ligand(s) or pathway(s) are involved, such as its signalling pathway or metabolic pathway and their associated biological or physiological effects) is involved. Again, as will be clear to the skilled person, such an action as an agonist or an antagonist may be determined in any suitable manner and/or using any suitable (in vitro and usually cellular or in assay) assay known per se, such as the assays described herein or in the prior art cited herein. In particular, an action as an agonist or antagonist may be such that an intended biological or physiological activity is increased or decreased, respectively, by at least 1%, preferably at least 5%, such as at least 10% or at least 25%, for example by at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, or 90% or more, compared to the biological or physiological activity in the same assay under the same conditions but without the presence of the amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention.

Modulating may for example involve reducing or inhibiting the binding of members of the Notch signalling pathway to one of its substrates or ligands and/or competing with a natural ligand, substrate for binding to members of the Notch signalling pathway. Modulating may also involve activating members of the Notch signalling pathway or the mechanism or pathway in which it is involved. Modulating may be reversible or irreversible, but for pharmaceutical and pharmacological purposes will usually be in a reversible manner.

The invention further relates to methods for preparing or generating the amino acid sequences, single variable domains, nucleic acids, host cells, products and constructs described herein. Some preferred but non-limiting examples of such methods will become clear from the further description herein.

Generally, these methods may comprise the steps of:

-   a) providing a set, collection or library of amino acid sequences;     and -   b) screening said set, collection or library of single variable     domains for single variable domains that can bind to and/or have     affinity for members for the Notch signalling pathway;     and -   c) isolating the amino acid sequence(s) that can bind to and/or have     affinity for members for the Notch signalling pathway.

In such a method, the set, collection or library of single variable domains may be any suitable set, collection or library of amino acid sequences. For example, the set, collection or library of single variable domains may be a set, collection or library of immunoglobulin sequences (as described herein), such as a naïve set, collection or library of immunoglobulin sequences; a synthetic or semi-synthetic set, collection or library of immunoglobulin sequences; and/or a set, collection or library of immunoglobulin sequences that have been subjected to affinity maturation.

Also, in such a method, the set, collection or library of single variable domains may be a set, collection or library of heavy chain variable domains (such as V_(H) domains or V_(HH) domains) or of light chain variable domains. For example, the set, collection or library of single variable domains may be a set, collection or library of domain antibodies or single domain antibodies, or may be a set, collection or library of single variable domains that are capable of functioning as a domain antibody or single domain antibody.

In a preferred aspect of this method, the set, collection or library of single variable domains may be an immune set, collection or library of immunoglobulin sequences, for example derived from a mammal that has been suitably immunized with members of the Notch signalling pathway or with a suitable antigenic determinant based thereon or derived therefrom, such as an antigenic part, fragment, region, domain, loop or other epitope thereof. In one particular aspect, said antigenic determinant may be an extracellular part, region, domain, loop or other extracellular epitope(s).

In the above methods, the set, collection or library of single variable domains may be displayed on a phage, phagemid, ribosome or suitable micro-organism (such as yeast), such as to facilitate screening. Suitable methods, techniques and host organisms for displaying and screening (a set, collection or library of) single variable domains will be clear to the person skilled in the art, for example on the basis of the further disclosure herein. Reference is also made to the review by Hoogenboom in Nature Biotechnology, 23, 9, 1105-1116 (2005).

In another aspect, the method for generating single variable domains comprises at least the steps of:

-   a) providing a collection or sample of cells expressing amino acid     sequences; -   b) screening said collection or sample of cells for cells that     express an amino acid sequence that can bind to and/or have affinity     for members for the Notch signalling pathway;     and -   c) either (i) isolating said amino acid sequence; or (ii) isolating     from said cell a nucleic acid sequence that encodes said amino acid     sequence, followed by expressing said amino acid sequence.

For example, when the desired amino acid sequence is an immunoglobulin sequence, the collection or sample of cells may for example be a collection or sample of B-cells. Also, in this method, the sample of cells may be derived from a mammal that has been suitably immunized with members of the Notch signalling pathway or with a suitable antigenic determinant based thereon or derived therefrom, such as an antigenic part, fragment, region, domain, loop or other epitope thereof. In one particular aspect, said antigenic determinant may be an extracellular part, region, domain, loop or other extracellular epitope(s).

The above method may be performed in any suitable manner, as will be clear to the skilled person. Reference is for example made to EP 0 542 810, WO 05/19824, WO 04/051268 and WO 04/106377. The screening of step b) is preferably performed using a flow cytometry technique such as FACS. For this, reference is for example made to Lieby et al., Blood, Vol. 97, No. 12, 3820 (2001).

In another aspect, the method for generating an amino acid sequence directed against members of the Notch signalling pathway may comprise at least the steps of:

-   a) providing a set, collection or library of nucleic acid sequences     encoding amino acid sequences; -   b) screening said set, collection or library of nucleic acid     sequences for nucleic acid sequences that encode an amino acid     sequence that can bind to and/or has affinity for members for the     Notch signalling pathway;     and -   c) isolating said nucleic acid sequence, followed by expressing said     amino acid sequence.

In such a method, the set, collection or library of nucleic acid sequences encoding single variable domains may for example be a set, collection or library of nucleic acid sequences encoding a naïve set, collection or library of immunoglobulin sequences; a set, collection or library of nucleic acid sequences encoding a synthetic or semi-synthetic set, collection or library of immunoglobulin sequences; and/or a set, collection or library of nucleic acid sequences encoding a set, collection or library of immunoglobulin sequences that have been subjected to affinity maturation.

Also, in such a method, the set, collection or library of nucleic acid sequences may encode a set, collection or library of heavy chain variable domains (such as V_(H) domains or V_(HH) domains) or of light chain variable domains. For example, the set, collection or library of nucleic acid sequences may encode a set, collection or library of domain antibodies or single domain antibodies, or a set, collection or library of single variable domains that are capable of functioning as a domain antibody or single domain antibody.

In a preferred aspect of this method, the set, collection or library of single variable domains may be an immune set, collection or library of nucleic acid sequences, for example derived from a mammal that has been suitably immunized with members of the Notch signalling pathway or with a suitable antigenic determinant based thereon or derived therefrom, such as an antigenic part, fragment, region, domain, loop or other epitope thereof. In one particular aspect, said antigenic determinant may be an extracellular part, region, domain, loop or other extracellular epitope(s).

The set, collection or library of nucleic acid sequences may for example encode an immune set, collection or library of heavy chain variable domains or of light chain variable domains. In one specific aspect, the set, collection or library of nucleotide sequences may encode a set, collection or library of 255-269.

In the above methods, the set, collection or library of nucleotide sequences may be displayed on a phage, phagemid, ribosome or suitable micro-organism (such as yeast), such as to facilitate screening. Suitable methods, techniques and host organisms for displaying and screening (a set, collection or library of) nucleotide sequences encoding single variable domains will be clear to the person skilled in the art, for example on the basis of the further disclosure herein. Reference is also made to the review by Hoogenboom in Nature Biotechnology, 23, 9, 1105-1116 (2005).

The invention also relates to single variable domains that are obtained by the above methods, or alternatively by a method that comprises the one of the above methods and in addition at least the steps of determining the nucleotide sequence or amino acid sequence of said immunoglobulin sequence; and of expressing or synthesizing said amino acid sequence in a manner known per se, such as by expression in a suitable host cell or host organism or by chemical synthesis.

Also, following the steps above, one or more single variable domains of the invention may be suitably humanized (or alternatively camelized); and/or the amino acid sequence(s) thus obtained may be linked to each other or to one or more other suitable single variable domains (optionally via one or more suitable linkers) so as to provide a polypeptide of the invention. Also, a nucleic acid sequence encoding an amino acid sequence of the invention may be suitably humanized (or alternatively camelized) and suitably expressed; and/or one or more nucleic acid sequences encoding an amino acid sequence of the invention may be linked to each other or to one or more nucleic acid sequences that encode other suitable single variable domains (optionally via nucleotide sequences that encode one or more suitable linkers), after which the nucleotide sequence thus obtained may be suitably expressed so as to provide a polypeptide of the invention.

The invention further relates to applications and uses of the amino acid sequences, compounds, constructs, single variable domains, nucleic acids, host cells, products and constructs described herein, as well as to methods for the prevention and/or treatment for diseases and disorders associated with members for the Notch signalling pathway. Some preferred but non-limiting applications and uses will become clear from the further description herein.

The invention also relates to the amino acid sequences, compounds, constructs, single variable domains, nucleic acids, host cells, products and compositions described herein for use in therapy.

In particular, the invention also relates to the amino acid sequences, compounds, constructs, single variable domains, nucleic acids, host cells, products and compositions described herein for use in therapy of a disease or disorder that can be prevented or treated by administering, to a subject in need thereof, of (a pharmaceutically effective amount of) an amino acid sequence, compound, construct or polypeptide as described herein.

More in particular, the invention relates to the amino acid sequences, compounds, constructs, single variable domains, nucleic acids, host cells, products and compositions described herein for use in therapy of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and immunomodulatory diseases.

Other aspects, embodiments, advantages and applications of the invention will also become clear from the further description herein, in which the invention will be described and discussed in more detail with reference to the Nanobodies of the invention and single variable domains of the invention comprising the same, which form some of the preferred aspects of the invention.

As will become clear from the further description herein, Nanobodies generally offer certain advantages (outlined herein) compared to “dAb's” or similar (single) domain antibodies or immunoglobulin sequences, which advantages are also provided by the Nanobodies of the invention. However, it will be clear to the skilled person that the more general aspects of the teaching below can also be applied (either directly or analogously) to other single variable domains of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the present description, examples and claims:

-   a) Unless indicated or defined otherwise, all terms used have their     usual meaning in the art, which will be clear to the skilled person.     Reference is for example made to the standard handbooks, such as     Sambrook et al, “Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual” (2nd. Ed.),     Vols. 1-3, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press (1989); F. Ausubel et     al, eds., “Current protocols in molecular biology”, Green Publishing     and Wiley Interscience, New York (1987); Lewin, “Genes II”, John     Wiley & Sons, New York, N.Y., (1985); Old et al., “Principles of     Gene Manipulation: An Introduction to Genetic Engineering”, 2nd     edition, University of California Press, Berkeley, Calif. (1981);     Roitt et al., “Immunology” (6th. Ed.), Mosby/Elsevier, Edinburgh     (2001); Roitt et al., Roitt's Essential Immunology, 10^(th) Ed.     Blackwell Publishing, UK (2001); and Janeway et al., “Immunobiology”     (6th Ed.), Garland Science Publishing/Churchill Livingstone, N.Y.     (2005), as well as to the general background art cited herein; -   b) Unless indicated otherwise, the term “immunoglobulin     sequence”—whether used herein to refer to a heavy chain antibody or     to a conventional 4-chain antibody—is used as a general term to     include both the full-size antibody, the individual chains thereof,     as well as all parts, domains or fragments thereof (including but     not limited to antigen-binding domains or fragments such as V_(HH)     domains or V_(H)/V_(L) domains, respectively). In addition, the term     “sequence” as used herein (for example in terms like “immunoglobulin     sequence”, “antibody sequence”, “variable domain sequence”, “V_(HH)     sequence” or “protein sequence”), should generally be understood to     include both the relevant amino acid sequence as well as nucleic     acids or nucleotide sequences encoding the same, unless the context     requires a more limited interpretation. Also, the term “nucleotide     sequence” as used herein also encompasses a nucleic acid molecule     with said nucleotide sequence, so that the terms “nucleotide     sequence” and “nucleic acid” should be considered equivalent and are     used interchangeably herein; -   c) Unless indicated otherwise, all methods, steps, techniques and     manipulations that are not specifically described in detail can be     performed and have been performed in a manner known per se, as will     be clear to the skilled person. Reference is for example again made     to the standard handbooks and the general background art mentioned     herein and to the further references cited therein; as well as to     for example the following reviews Presta, Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev.     2006, 58 (5-6): 640-56; Levin and Weiss, Mol. Biosyst. 2006, 2(1):     49-57; Irving et al., J. Immunol. Methods, 2001, 248(1-2), 31-45;     Schmitz et al., Placenta, 2000, 21 Suppl. A, S106-12, Gonzales et     al., Tumour Biol., 2005, 26(1), 31-43, which describe techniques for     protein engineering, such as affinity maturation and other     techniques for improving the specificity and other desired     properties of proteins such as immunoglobulins. -   d) Amino acid residues will be indicated according to the standard     three-letter or one-letter amino acid code, as mentioned in Table     A-2;

TABLE A-2 one-letter and three-letter amino acid code Nonpolar, Alanine Ala A uncharged Valine Val V (at pH 6.0-7.0)⁽³⁾ Leucine Leu L Isoleucine Ile I Phenylalanine Phe F Methionine⁽¹⁾ Met M Tryptophan Trp W Proline Pro P Polar, Glycine⁽²⁾ Gly G uncharged Serine Ser S (at pH 6.0-7.0) Threonine Thr T Cysteine Cys C Asparagine Asn N Glutamine Gln Q Tyrosine Tyr Y Polar, Lysine Lys K charged Arginine Arg R (at pH 6.0-7.0) Histidine⁽⁴⁾ His H Aspartate Asp D Glutamate Glu E Notes: ⁽¹⁾Sometimes also considered to be a polar uncharged amino acid. ⁽²⁾Sometimes also considered to be a nonpolar uncharged amino acid. ⁽³⁾As will be clear to the skilled person, the fact that an amino acid residue is referred to in this Table as being either charged or uncharged at pH 6.0 to 7.0 does not reflect in any way on the charge said amino acid residue may have at a pH lower than 6.0 and/or at a pH higher than 7.0; the amino acid residues mentioned in the Table can be either charged and/or uncharged at such a higher or lower pH, as will be clear to the skilled person. ⁽⁴⁾As is known in the art, the charge of a His residue is greatly dependant upon even small shifts in pH, but a His residue can generally be considered essentially uncharged at a pH of about 6.5.

-   e) For the purposes of comparing two or more nucleotide sequences,     the percentage of “sequence identity” between a first nucleotide     sequence and a second nucleotide sequence may be calculated by     dividing [the number of nucleotides in the first nucleotide sequence     that are identical to the nucleotides at the corresponding positions     in the second nucleotide sequence] by [the total number of     nucleotides in the first nucleotide sequence] and multiplying by     [100%], in which each deletion, insertion, substitution or addition     of a nucleotide in the second nucleotide sequence—compared to the     first nucleotide sequence—is considered as a difference at a single     nucleotide (position).

Alternatively, the degree of sequence identity between two or more nucleotide sequences may be calculated using a known computer algorithm for sequence alignment such as NCBI Blast v2.0, using standard settings.

Some other techniques, computer algorithms and settings for determining the degree of sequence identity are for example described in WO 04/037999, EP 0 967 284, EP 1 085 089, WO 00/55318, WO 00/78972, WO 98/49185 and GB 2 357 768-A.

Usually, for the purpose of determining the percentage of “sequence identity” between two nucleotide sequences in accordance with the calculation method outlined hereinabove, the nucleotide sequence with the greatest number of nucleotides will be taken as the “first” nucleotide sequence, and the other nucleotide sequence will be taken as the “second” nucleotide sequence;

-   f) For the purposes of comparing two or more amino acid sequences,     the percentage of “sequence identity” between a first amino acid     sequence and a second amino acid sequence (also referred to herein     as “amino acid identity”) may be calculated by dividing [the number     of amino acid residues in the first amino acid sequence that are     identical to the amino acid residues at the corresponding positions     in the second amino acid sequence] by [the total number of amino     acid residues in the first amino acid sequence] and multiplying by     [100%], in which each deletion, insertion, substitution or addition     of an amino acid residue in the second amino acid sequence—compared     to the first amino acid sequence—is considered as a difference at a     single amino acid residue (position), i.e. as an “amino acid     difference” as defined herein.

Alternatively, the degree of sequence identity between two single variable domains may be calculated using a known computer algorithm, such as those mentioned above for determining the degree of sequence identity for nucleotide sequences, again using standard settings.

Usually, for the purpose of determining the percentage of “sequence identity” between two single variable domains in accordance with the calculation method outlined hereinabove, the amino acid sequence with the greatest number of amino acid residues will be taken as the “first” amino acid sequence, and the other amino acid sequence will be taken as the “second” amino acid sequence.

Also, in determining the degree of sequence identity between two amino acid sequences, the skilled person may take into account so-called “conservative” amino acid substitutions, which can generally be described as amino acid substitutions in which an amino acid residue is replaced with another amino acid residue of similar chemical structure and which has little or essentially no influence on the function, activity or other biological properties of the polypeptide. Such conservative amino acid substitutions are well known in the art, for example from WO 04/037999, GB-A-3 357 768, WO 98/49185, WO 00/46383 and WO 01/09300; and (preferred) types and/or combinations of such substitutions may be selected on the basis of the pertinent teachings from WO 04/037999 as well as WO 98/49185 and from the further references cited therein.

Such conservative substitutions preferably are substitutions in which one amino acid within the following groups (a)-(e) is substituted by another amino acid residue within the same group: (a) small aliphatic, nonpolar or slightly polar residues: Ala, Ser, Thr, Pro and Gly; (b) polar, negatively charged residues and their (uncharged) amides: Asp, Asn, Glu and Gln; (c) polar, positively charged residues: His, Arg and Lys; (d) large aliphatic, nonpolar residues: Met, Leu, Ile, Val and Cys; and (e) aromatic residues: Phe, Tyr and Trp.

Particularly preferred conservative substitutions are as follows: Ala into Gly or into Ser; Arg into Lys; Asn into Gln or into His; Asp into Glu; Cys into Ser; Gln into Asn; Glu into Asp; Gly into Ala or into Pro; His into Asn or into Gln; Ile into Leu or into Val; Leu into Ile or into Val; Lys into Arg, into Gln or into Glu; Met into Leu, into Tyr or into Ile; Phe into Met, into Leu or into Tyr; Ser into Thr; Thr into Ser; Trp into Tyr; Tyr into Trp; and/or Phe into Val, into Ile or into Leu.

Any amino acid substitutions applied to the single variable domains described herein may also be based on the analysis of the frequencies of amino acid variations between homologous proteins of different species developed by Schulz et al., Principles of Protein Structure, Springer-Verlag, 1978, on the analyses of structure forming potentials developed by Chou and Fasman, Biochemistry 13: 211, 1974 and Adv. Enzymol., 47: 45-149, 1978, and on the analysis of hydrophobicity patterns in proteins developed by Eisenberg et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 81: 140-144, 1984; Kyte & Doolittle; J Molec. Biol. 157: 105-132, 198 1, and Goldman et al., Ann. Rev. Biophys. Chem. 15: 321-353, 1986, all incorporated herein in their entirety by reference. Information on the primary, secondary and tertiary structure of Nanobodies is given in the description herein and in the general background art cited above. Also, for this purpose, the crystal structure of a V_(HH) domain from a llama is for example given by Desmyter et al., Nature Structural Biology, Vol. 3, 9, 803 (1996); Spinelli et al., Natural Structural Biology (1996); 3, 752-757; and Decanniere et al., Structure, Vol. 7, 4, 361 (1999). Further information about some of the amino acid residues that in conventional V_(H) domains form the V_(H)/V_(L) interface and potential camelizing substitutions on these positions can be found in the prior art cited above.

-   g) nucleic acid sequences are said to be “exactly the same” if they     have 100% sequence identity (as defined herein) over their entire     length; -   h) When comparing two amino acid sequences, the term “amino acid     difference” refers to an insertion, deletion or substitution of a     single amino acid residue on a position of the first sequence,     compared to the second sequence; it being understood that two single     variable domains can contain one, two or more such amino acid     differences; -   i) When a nucleotide sequence or amino acid sequence is said to     “comprise” another nucleotide sequence or amino acid sequence,     respectively, or to “essentially consist of” another nucleotide     sequence or amino acid sequence, this may mean that the latter     nucleotide sequence or amino acid sequence has been incorporated     into the firstmentioned nucleotide sequence or amino acid sequence,     respectively, but more usually this generally means that the     firstmentioned nucleotide sequence or amino acid sequence comprises     within its sequence a stretch of nucleotides or amino acid residues,     respectively, that has the same nucleotide sequence or amino acid     sequence, respectively, as the latter sequence, irrespective of how     the firstmentioned sequence has actually been generated or obtained     (which may for example be by any suitable method described herein).     By means of a non-limiting example, when a Nanobody of the invention     is said to comprise a CDR sequence, this may mean that said CDR     sequence has been incorporated into the Nanobody of the invention,     but more usually this generally means that the Nanobody of the     invention contains within its sequence a stretch of amino acid     residues with the same amino acid sequence as said CDR sequence,     irrespective of how said Nanobody of the invention has been     generated or obtained. It should also be noted that when the latter     amino acid sequence has a specific biological or structural     function, it preferably has essentially the same, a similar or an     equivalent biological or structural function in the firstmentioned     amino acid sequence (in other words, the firstmentioned amino acid     sequence is preferably such that the latter sequence is capable of     performing essentially the same, a similar or an equivalent     biological or structural function). For example, when a Nanobody of     the invention is said to comprise a CDR sequence or framework     sequence, respectively, the CDR sequence and framework are     preferably capable, in said Nanobody, of functioning as a CDR     sequence or framework sequence, respectively. Also, when a     nucleotide sequence is said to comprise another nucleotide sequence,     the firstmentioned nucleotide sequence is preferably such that, when     it is expressed into an expression product (e.g. a polypeptide), the     amino acid sequence encoded by the latter nucleotide sequence forms     part of said expression product (in other words, that the latter     nucleotide sequence is in the same reading frame as the     firstmentioned, larger nucleotide sequence). -   j) A nucleic acid sequence or amino acid sequence is considered to     be “(in) essentially isolated (form)”—for example, compared to its     native biological source and/or the reaction medium or cultivation     medium from which it has been obtained—when it has been separated     from at least one other component with which it is usually     associated in said source or medium, such as another nucleic acid,     another protein/polypeptide, another biological component or     macromolecule or at least one contaminant, impurity or minor     component. In particular, a nucleic acid sequence or amino acid     sequence is considered “essentially isolated” when it has been     purified at least 2-fold, in particular at least 10-fold, more in     particular at least 100-fold, and up to 1000-fold or more. A nucleic     acid sequence or amino acid sequence that is “in essentially     isolated form” is preferably essentially homogeneous, as determined     using a suitable technique, such as a suitable chromatographical     technique, such as polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis; -   k) The term “domain” as used herein generally refers to a globular     region of an amino acid sequence (such as an antibody chain, and in     particular to a globular region of a heavy chain antibody), or to a     polypeptide that essentially consists of such a globular region.     Usually, such a domain will comprise peptide loops (for example 3 or     4 peptide loops) stabilized, for example, as a sheet or by disulfide     bonds. The term “binding domain” refers to such a domain that is     directed against an antigenic determinant (as defined herein); -   l) The term “antigenic determinant” refers to the epitope on the     antigen recognized by the antigen-binding molecule (such as a     Nanobody or a polypeptide of the invention) and more in particular     by the antigen-binding site of said molecule. The terms “antigenic     determinant” and “epitope” may also be used interchangeably herein. -   m) An amino acid sequence (such as a Nanobody, an antibody, a     polypeptide of the invention, or generally an antigen binding     protein or polypeptide or a fragment thereof) that can     (specifically) bind to, that has affinity for and/or that has     specificity for a specific antigenic determinant, epitope, antigen     or protein (or for at least one part, fragment or epitope thereof)     is said to be “against” or “directed against” said antigenic     determinant, epitope, antigen or protein. -   n) The term “specificity” refers to the number of different types of     antigens or antigenic determinants to which a particular     antigen-binding molecule or antigen-binding protein (such as a     Nanobody or a polypeptide of the invention) molecule can bind. The     specificity of an antigen-binding protein can be determined based on     affinity and/or avidity. The affinity, represented by the     equilibrium constant for the dissociation of an antigen with an     antigen-binding protein (K_(D)), is a measure for the binding     strength between an antigenic determinant and an antigen-binding     site on the antigen-binding protein: the lesser the value of the     K_(D), the stronger the binding strength between an antigenic     determinant and the antigen-binding molecule (alternatively, the     affinity can also be expressed as the affinity constant (K_(A)),     which is 1/K_(D)). As will be clear to the skilled person (for     example on the basis of the further disclosure herein), affinity can     be determined in a manner known per se, depending on the specific     antigen of interest. Avidity is the measure of the strength of     binding between an antigen-binding molecule (such as a Nanobody or     polypeptide of the invention) and the pertinent antigen. Avidity is     related to both the affinity between an antigenic determinant and     its antigen binding site on the antigen-binding molecule and the     number of pertinent binding sites present on the antigen-binding     molecule. Typically, antigen-binding proteins (such as the amino     acid sequences, Nanobodies and/or single variable domains of the     invention) will bind to their antigen with a dissociation constant     (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less, and preferably 10⁻⁷ to     10⁻¹² moles/liter or less and more preferably 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹²     moles/liter (i.e. with an association constant (K_(A)) of 10⁵ to     10¹² liter/moles or more, and preferably 10⁷ to 10¹² liter/moles or     more and more preferably 10⁸ to 10¹² liter/moles). Any K_(D) value     greater than 10⁴ mol/liter (or any K_(A) value lower than 10⁴ M⁻¹)     liters/mol is generally considered to indicate non-specific binding.     Preferably, a monovalent immunoglobulin sequence of the invention     will bind to the desired antigen with an affinity less than 500 nM,     preferably less than 200 nM, more preferably less than 10 nM, such     as less than 500 pM. Specific binding of an antigen-binding protein     to an antigen or antigenic determinant can be determined in any     suitable manner known per se, including, for example, Scatchard     analysis and/or competitive binding assays, such as     radioimmunoassays (RIA), enzyme immunoassays (EIA) and sandwich     competition assays, and the different variants thereof known per se     in the art; as well as the other techniques mentioned herein.

The dissociation constant may be the actual or apparent dissociation constant, as will be clear to the skilled person. Methods for determining the dissociation constant will be clear to the skilled person, and for example include the techniques mentioned herein. In this respect, it will also be clear that it may not be possible to measure dissociation constants of more then 10⁻⁴ moles/liter or 10⁻³ moles/liter (e.g., of 10⁻² moles/liter). Optionally, as will also be clear to the skilled person, the (actual or apparent) dissociation constant may be calculated on the basis of the (actual or apparent) association constant (K_(A)), by means of the relationship [K_(D)=1/K_(A)].

The affinity denotes the strength or stability of a molecular interaction. The affinity is commonly given as by the K_(D), or dissociation constant, which has units of mol/liter (or M). The affinity can also be expressed as an association constant, K_(A), which equals 1/K_(D) and has units of (mol/liter)⁻¹ (or M⁻¹). In the present specification, the stability of the interaction between two molecules (such as an amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention and its intended target) will mainly be expressed in terms of the K_(D) value of their interaction; it being clear to the skilled person that in view of the relation K_(A)=1/K_(D), specifying the strength of molecular interaction by its K_(D) value can also be used to calculate the corresponding K_(A) value. The K_(D)-value characterizes the strength of a molecular interaction also in a thermodynamic sense as it is related to the free energy (DG) of binding by the well known relation DG=RT·ln(K_(D)) (equivalently DG=−RT·ln(K_(A))), where R equals the gas constant, T equals the absolute temperature and ln denotes the natural logarithm.

The K_(D) for biological interactions which are considered meaningful (e.g. specific) are typically in the range of 10⁻¹⁰M (0.1 nM) to 10⁻⁵M (10000 nM). The stronger an interaction is, the lower is its K_(D).

The K_(D) can also be expressed as the ratio of the dissociation rate constant of a complex, denoted as k_(off), to the rate of its association, denoted k_(on) (so that K_(D)=k_(off)/k_(on) and K_(A)=k_(on)/k_(off)). The off-rate k_(off) has units s⁻¹ (where s is the SI unit notation of second). The on-rate k_(on) has units M⁻¹s⁻¹. The on-rate may vary between 10² M⁻¹s⁻¹ to about 10⁷ M⁻¹s⁻¹, approaching the diffusion-limited association rate constant for bimolecular interactions. The off-rate is related to the half-life of a given molecular interaction by the relation t_(1/2)=ln(2)/k_(off). The off-rate may vary between 10⁻⁶ s⁻¹ (near irreversible complex with a t_(1/2) of multiple days) to 1 s⁻¹ (t_(1/2)=0.69 s).

The affinity of a molecular interaction between two molecules can be measured via different techniques known per se, such as the well known surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor technique (see for example Ober et al., Intern. Immunology, 13, 1551-1559, 2001) where one molecule is immobilized on the biosensor chip and the other molecule is passed over the immobilized molecule under flow conditions yielding k_(on), k_(off) measurements and hence K_(D) (or K_(A)) values. This can for example be performed using the well-known BIACORE instruments.

It will also be clear to the skilled person that the measured K_(D) may correspond to the apparent K_(D) if the measuring process somehow influences the intrinsic binding affinity of the implied molecules for example by artefacts related to the coating on the biosensor of one molecule. Also, an apparent K_(D) may be measured if one molecule contains more than one recognition sites for the other molecule. In such situation the measured affinity may be affected by the avidity of the interaction by the two molecules.

Another approach that may be used to assess affinity is the 2-step ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) procedure of Friguet et al. (J. Immunol. Methods, 77, 305-19, 1985). This method establishes a solution phase binding equilibrium measurement and avoids possible artefacts relating to adsorption of one of the molecules on a support such as plastic.

However, the accurate measurement of K_(D) may be quite labor-intensive and as consequence, often apparent K_(D) values are determined to assess the binding strength of two molecules. It should be noted that as long all measurements are made in a consistent way (e.g. keeping the assay conditions unchanged) apparent K_(D) measurements can be used as an approximation of the true K_(D) and hence in the present document K_(D) and apparent K_(D) should be treated with equal importance or relevance. Finally, it should be noted that in many situations the experienced scientist may judge it to be convenient to determine the binding affinity relative to some reference molecule. For example, to assess the binding strength between molecules A and B, one may e.g. use a reference molecule C that is known to bind to B and that is suitably labelled with a fluorophore or chromophore group or other chemical moiety, such as biotin for easy detection in an ELISA or FACS (Fluorescent activated cell sorting) or other format (the fluorophore for fluorescence detection, the chromophore for light absorption detection, the biotin for streptavidin-mediated ELISA detection). Typically, the reference molecule C is kept at a fixed concentration and the concentration of A is varied for a given concentration or amount of B. As a result an IC₅₀ value is obtained corresponding to the concentration of A at which the signal measured for C in absence of A is halved. Provided K_(D ref), the K_(D) of the reference molecule, is known, as well as the total concentration c_(ref) of the reference molecule, the apparent K_(D) for the interaction A-B can be obtained from following formula: K_(D)=IC₅₀/(1+c_(ref)/K_(D ref)). Note that if c_(ref)<<K_(D ref), K_(D)≈IC₅₀. Provided the measurement of the IC₅₀ is performed in a consistent way (e.g. keeping c_(ref) fixed) for the binders that are compared, the strength or stability of a molecular interaction can be assessed by the IC₅₀ and this measurement is judged as equivalent to K_(D) or to apparent K_(D) throughout this text.

-   o) The half-life of an amino acid sequence, compound or polypeptide     of the invention can generally be defined as the time taken for the     serum concentration of the amino acid sequence, compound or     polypeptide to be reduced by 50%, in vivo, for example due to     degradation of the sequence or compound and/or clearance or     sequestration of the sequence or compound by natural mechanisms. The     in vivo half-life of an amino acid sequence, compound or polypeptide     of the invention can be determined in any manner known per se, such     as by pharmacokinetic analysis. Suitable techniques will be clear to     the person skilled in the art, and may for example generally involve     the steps of suitably administering to a warm-blooded animal (i.e.     to a human or to another suitable mammal, such as a mouse, rabbit,     rat, pig, dog or a primate, for example monkeys from the genus     Macaca (such as, and in particular, cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca     fascicularis) and/or rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)) and baboon     (Papio ursinus)) a suitable dose of the amino acid sequence,     compound or polypeptide of the invention; collecting blood samples     or other samples from said animal; determining the level or     concentration of the amino acid sequence, compound or polypeptide of     the invention in said blood sample; and calculating, from (a plot     of) the data thus obtained, the time until the level or     concentration of the amino acid sequence, compound or polypeptide of     the invention has been reduced by 50% compared to the initial level     upon dosing. Reference is for example made to the Experimental Part     below, as well as to the standard handbooks, such as Kenneth, A et     al: Chemical Stability of Pharmaceuticals: A Handbook for     Pharmacists and Peters et al, Pharmacokinete analysis: A Practical     Approach (1996). Reference is also made to “Pharmacokinetics”, M     Gibaldi & D Perron, published by Marcel Dekker, 2nd Rev. edition     (1982).

As will also be clear to the skilled person (see for example pages 6 and 7 of WO 04/003019 and in the further references cited therein), the half-life can be expressed using parameters such as the t1/2-alpha, t1/2-beta and the area under the curve (AUC). In the present specification, an “increase in half-life” refers to an increase in any one of these parameters, such as any two of these parameters, or essentially all three these parameters. As used herein “increase in half-life” or “increased half-life” in particular refers to an increase in the t1/2-beta, either with or without an increase in the t1/2-alpha and/or the AUC or both.

-   p) In the context of the present invention, “modulating” or “to     modulate” generally means either reducing or inhibiting the activity     of, or alternatively increasing the activity of, a target or     antigen, as measured using a suitable in vitro, cellular or in vivo     assay. In particular, “modulating” or “to modulate” may mean either     reducing or inhibiting the activity of, or alternatively increasing     a (relevant or intended) biological activity of, a target or     antigen, as measured using a suitable in vitro, cellular or in vivo     assay (which will usually depend on the target or antigen involved),     by at least 1%, preferably at least 5%, such as at least 10% or at     least 25%, for example by at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%,     at least 80%, or 90% or more, compared to activity of the target or     antigen in the same assay under the same conditions but without the     presence of the construct of the invention.

As will be clear to the skilled person, “modulating” may also involve effecting a change (which may either be an increase or a decrease) in affinity, avidity, specificity and/or selectivity of a target or antigen for one or more of its ligands, binding partners, partners for association into a homomultimeric or heteromultimeric form, or substrates; and/or effecting a change (which may either be an increase or a decrease) in the sensitivity of the target or antigen for one or more conditions in the medium or surroundings in which the target or antigen is present (such as pH, ion strength, the presence of co-factors, etc.), compared to the same conditions but without the presence of the construct of the invention. As will be clear to the skilled person, this may again be determined in any suitable manner and/or using any suitable assay known per se, depending on the target or antigen involved.

“Modulating” may also mean effecting a change (i.e. an activity as an agonist, as an antagonist or as a reverse agonist, respectively, depending on the target or antigen and the desired biological or physiological effect) with respect to one or more biological or physiological mechanisms, effects, responses, functions, pathways or activities in which the target or antigen (or in which its substrate(s), ligand(s) or pathway(s) are involved, such as its signalling pathway or metabolic pathway and their associated biological or physiological effects) is involved. Again, as will be clear to the skilled person, such an action as an agonist or an antagonist may be determined in any suitable manner and/or using any suitable (in vitro and usually cellular or in assay) assay known per se, depending on the target or antigen involved. In particular, an action as an agonist or antagonist may be such that an intended biological or physiological activity is increased or decreased, respectively, by at least 1%, preferably at least 5%, such as at least 10% or at least 25%, for example by at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, or 90% or more, compared to the biological or physiological activity in the same assay under the same conditions but without the presence of the construct of the invention.

Modulating may for example also involve allosteric modulation of the target or antigen; and/or reducing or inhibiting the binding of the target or antigen to one of its substrates or ligands and/or competing with a natural ligand, substrate for binding to the target or antigen. Modulating may also involve activating the target or antigen or the mechanism or pathway in which it is involved. Modulating may for example also involve effecting a change in respect of the folding or confirmation of the target or antigen, or in respect of the ability of the target or antigen to fold, to change its confirmation (for example, upon binding of a ligand), to associate with other (sub)units, or to disassociate. Modulating may for example also involve effecting a change in the ability of the target or antigen to transport other compounds or to serve as a channel for other compounds (such as ions).

Modulating may be reversible or irreversible, but for pharmaceutical and pharmacological purposes will usually be in a reversible manner.

-   q) In respect of a target or antigen, the term “interaction site” on     the target or antigen means a site, epitope, antigenic determinant,     part, domain or stretch of amino acid residues on the target or     antigen that is a site for binding to a ligand, receptor or other     binding partner, a catalytic site, a cleavage site, a site for     allosteric interaction, a site involved in multimerisation (such as     homomerization or heterodimerization) of the target or antigen; or     any other site, epitope, antigenic determinant, part, domain or     stretch of amino acid residues on the target or antigen that is     involved in a biological action or mechanism of the target or     antigen. More generally, an “interaction site” can be any site,     epitope, antigenic determinant, part, domain or stretch of amino     acid residues on the target or antigen to which an amino acid     sequence or polypeptide of the invention can bind such that the     target or antigen (and/or any pathway, interaction, signalling,     biological mechanism or biological effect in which the target or     antigen is involved) is modulated (as defined herein). -   r) An amino acid sequence or polypeptide is said to be “specific     for” a first target or antigen compared to a second target or     antigen when is binds to the first antigen with an affinity (as     described above, and suitably expressed as a K_(D) value, K_(A)     value, K_(off) rate and/or K_(on) rate) that is at least 10 times,     such as at least 100 times, and preferably at least 1000 times, and     up to 10,000 times or more better than the affinity with which said     amino acid sequence or polypeptide binds to the second target or     polypeptide. For example, the first antigen may bind to the target     or antigen with a K_(D) value that is at least 10 times less, such     as at least 100 times less, and preferably at least 1000 times less,     such as 10,000 times less or even less than that, than the K_(D)     with which said amino acid sequence or polypeptide binds to the     second target or polypeptide. Preferably, when an amino acid     sequence or polypeptide is “specific for” a first target or antigen     compared to a second target or antigen, it is directed against (as     defined herein) said first target or antigen, but not directed     against said second target or antigen. -   s) The terms “cross-block”, “cross-blocked” and “cross-blocking” are     used interchangeably herein to mean the ability of an amino acid     sequence or other binding agents (such as a polypeptide of the     invention) to interfere with the binding of other single variable     domains or binding agents of the invention to a given target, herein     against a member of the Notch signalling pathway. The extend to     which an amino acid sequence or other binding agents of the     invention is able to interfere with the binding of another to a     member of the Notch signalling pathway, and therefore whether it can     be said to cross-block according to the invention, can be determined     using competition binding assays. One particularly suitable     quantitative assay uses a Biacore machine which can measure the     extent of interactions using surface plasmon resonance technology.     Another suitable quantitative cross-blocking assay uses an     ELISA-based approach to measure competition between amino acid     sequence or another binding agent in terms of their binding to the     target.

The following generally describes a suitable Biacore assay for determining whether an amino acid sequence or other binding agent cross-blocks or is capable of cross-blocking according to the invention. It will be appreciated that the assay can be used with any of the amino acid sequence or other binding agents described herein. The Biacore machine (for example the Biacore 3000) is operated in line with the manufacturer's recommendations. Thus in one cross-blocking assay, the target protein is coupled to a CM5 Biacore chip using standard amine coupling chemistry to generate a surface that is coated with the target. Typically 200-800 resonance units of the target would be coupled to the chip (an amount that gives easily measurable levels of binding but that is readily saturable by the concentrations of test reagent being used). Two test single variable domains (termed A* and B*) to be assessed for their ability to cross-block each other are mixed at a one to one molar ratio of binding sites in a suitable buffer to create the test mixture. When calculating the concentrations on a binding site basis the molecular weight of an amino acid sequence is assumed to be the total molecular weight of the amino acid sequence divided by the number of target binding sites on that amino acid sequence. The concentration of each amino acid sequence in the test mix should be high enough to readily saturate the binding sites for that amino acid sequence on the target molecules captured on the Biacore chip. The single variable domains in the mixture are at the same molar concentration (on a binding basis) and that concentration would typically be between 1.00 and 1.5 micro-molar (on a binding site basis). Separate solutions containing A* alone and B* alone are also prepared. A* and B* in these solutions should be in the same buffer and at the same concentration as in the test mix. The test mixture is passed over the target-coated Biacore chip and the total amount of binding recorded. The chip is then treated in such a way as to remove the bound single variable domains without damaging the chip-bound target. Typically this is done by treating the chip with 30 mM HCl for 60 seconds. The solution of A* alone is then passed over the target-coated surface and the amount of binding recorded. The chip is again treated to remove all of the bound single variable domains without damaging the chip-bound target. The solution of B* alone is then passed over the target-coated surface and the amount of binding recorded. The maximum theoretical binding of the mixture of A* and B* is next calculated, and is the sum of the binding of each amino acid sequence when passed over the target surface alone. If the actual recorded binding of the mixture is less than this theoretical maximum then the two single variable domains are cross-blocking each other. Thus, in general, a cross-blocking amino acid sequence or other binding agent according to the invention is one which will bind to the target in the above Biacore cross-blocking assay such that during the assay and in the presence of a second amino acid sequence or other binding agent of the invention the recorded binding is between 80% and 0.1% (e.g. 80% to 4%) of the maximum theoretical binding, specifically between 75% and 0.1% (e.g. 75% to 4%) of the maximum theoretical binding, and more specifically between 70% and 0.1% (e.g. 70% to 4%) of maximum theoretical binding (as just defined above) of the two single variable domains or binding agents in combination. The Biacore assay described above is a primary assay used to determine if single variable domains or other binding agents cross-block each other according to the invention. On rare occasions particular single variable domains or other binding agents may not bind to target coupled via amine chemistry to a CM5 Biacore chip (this usually occurs when the relevant binding site on target is masked or destroyed by the coupling to the chip). In such cases cross-blocking can be determined using a tagged version of the target, for example a N-terminal His-tagged version (R & D Systems, Minneapolis, Minn., USA; 2005 cat#1406-ST-025). In this particular format, an anti-His amino acid sequence would be coupled to the Biacore chip and then the His-tagged target would be passed over the surface of the chip and captured by the anti-His amino acid sequence. The cross blocking analysis would be carried out essentially as described above, except that after each chip regeneration cycle, new His-tagged target would be loaded back onto the anti-His amino acid sequence coated surface. In addition to the example given using N-terminal His-tagged [target], C-terminal His-tagged target could alternatively be used. Furthermore, various other tags and tag binding protein combinations that are known in the art could be used for such a cross-blocking analysis (e.g. HA tag with anti-HA antibodies; FLAG tag with anti-FLAG antibodies; biotin tag with streptavidin).

The following generally describes an ELISA assay for determining whether an amino acid sequence or other binding agent directed against a target cross-blocks or is capable of cross-blocking as defined herein. It will be appreciated that the assay can be used with any of the single variable domains (or other binding agents such as single variable domains of the invention) described herein. The general principal of the assay is to have an amino acid sequence or binding agent that is directed against the target coated onto the wells of an ELISA plate. An excess amount of a second, potentially cross-blocking, anti-target amino acid sequence is added in solution (i.e. not bound to the ELISA plate). A limited amount of the target is then added to the wells. The coated amino acid sequence and the amino acid sequence in solution compete for binding of the limited number of target molecules. The plate is washed to remove excess target that has not been bound by the coated amino acid sequence and to also remove the second, solution phase amino acid sequence as well as any complexes formed between the second, solution phase amino acid sequence and target. The amount of bound target is then measured using a reagent that is appropriate to detect the target. An amino acid sequence in solution that is able to cross-block the coated amino acid sequence will be able to cause a decrease in the number of target molecules that the coated amino acid sequence can bind relative to the number of target molecules that the coated amino acid sequence can bind in the absence of the second, solution phase, amino acid sequence. In the instance where the first amino acid sequence, e.g. an Ab-X, is chosen to be the immobilized amino acid sequence, it is coated onto the wells of the ELISA plate, after which the plates are blocked with a suitable blocking solution to minimize non-specific binding of reagents that are subsequently added. An excess amount of the second amino acid sequence, i.e. Ab-Y, is then added to the ELISA plate such that the moles of Ab-Y target binding sites per well are at least 10 fold higher than the moles of Ab-X target binding sites that were used, per well, during the coating of the ELISA plate. Target is then added such that the moles of target added per well are at least 25-fold lower than the moles of Ab-X target binding sites that were used for coating each well. Following a suitable incubation period the ELISA plate is washed and a reagent for detecting the target is added to measure the amount of target specifically bound by the coated anti-target amino acid sequence (in this case Ab-X). The background signal for the assay is defined as the signal obtained in wells with the coated amino acid sequence (in this case Ab-X), second solution phase amino acid sequence (in this case Ab-Y), target buffer only (i.e. no target) and target detection reagents. The positive control signal for the assay is defined as the signal obtained in wells with the coated amino acid sequence (in this case Ab-X), second solution phase amino acid sequence buffer only (i.e. no second solution phase amino acid sequence), target and target detection reagents. The ELISA assay may be run in such a manner so as to have the positive control signal be at least 6 times the background signal. To avoid any artefacts (e.g. significantly different affinities between Ab-X and Ab-Y for [target]) resulting from the choice of which amino acid sequence to use as the coating amino acid sequence and which to use as the second (competitor) amino acid sequence, the cross-blocking assay may to be run in two formats: 1) format 1 is where Ab-X is the amino acid sequence that is coated onto the ELISA plate and Ab-Y is the competitor amino acid sequence that is in solution and 2) format 2 is where Ab-Y is the amino acid sequence that is coated onto the ELISA plate and Ab-X is the competitor amino acid sequence that is in solution. Ab-X and Ab-Y are defined as cross-blocking if, either in format 1 or in format 2, the solution phase anti-target amino acid sequence is able to cause a reduction of between 60% and 100%, specifically between 70% and 100%, and more specifically between 80% and 100%, of the target detection signal {i.e. the amount of target bound by the coated amino acid sequence) as compared to the target detection signal obtained in the absence of the solution phase anti-target amino acid sequence (i.e. the positive control wells).

-   t) As further described herein, the total number of amino acid     residues in a Nanobody can be in the region of 110-120, is     preferably 112-115, and is most preferably 113. It should however be     noted that parts, fragments, analogs or derivatives (as further     described herein) of a Nanobody are not particularly limited as to     their length and/or size, as long as such parts, fragments, analogs     or derivatives meet the further requirements outlined herein and are     also preferably suitable for the purposes described herein; -   u) The amino acid residues of a Nanobody are numbered according to     the general numbering for V_(H) domains given by Kabat et al.     (“Sequence of proteins of immunological interest”, US Public Health     Services, NIH Bethesda, Md., Publication No. 91), as applied to     V_(HH) domains from Camelids in the article of Riechmann and     Muyldermans, J. Immunol. Methods 2000 Jun. 23; 240 (1-2): 185-195     (see for example FIG. 2 of this publication); or referred to herein.     According to this numbering, FR1 of a Nanobody comprises the amino     acid residues at positions 1-30, CDR1 of a Nanobody comprises the     amino acid residues at positions 31-35, FR2 of a Nanobody comprises     the amino acids at positions 36-49, CDR2 of a Nanobody comprises the     amino acid residues at positions 50-65, FR3 of a Nanobody comprises     the amino acid residues at positions 66-94, CDR3 of a Nanobody     comprises the amino acid residues at positions 95-102, and FR4 of a     Nanobody comprises the amino acid residues at positions 103-113. [In     this respect, it should be noted that—as is well known in the art     for V_(H) domains and for V_(HH) domains—the total number of amino     acid residues in each of the CDR's may vary and may not correspond     to the total number of amino acid residues indicated by the Kabat     numbering (that is, one or more positions according to the Kabat     numbering may not be occupied in the actual sequence, or the actual     sequence may contain more amino acid residues than the number     allowed for by the Kabat numbering). This means that, generally, the     numbering according to Kabat may or may not correspond to the actual     numbering of the amino acid residues in the actual sequence.     Generally, however, it can be said that, according to the numbering     of Kabat and irrespective of the number of amino acid residues in     the CDR's, position 1 according to the Kabat numbering corresponds     to the start of FR1 and vice versa, position 36 according to the     Kabat numbering corresponds to the start of FR2 and vice versa,     position 66 according to the Kabat numbering corresponds to the     start of FR3 and vice versa, and position 103 according to the Kabat     numbering corresponds to the start of FR4 and vice versa.].

Alternative methods for numbering the amino acid residues of V_(H) domains, which methods can also be applied in an analogous manner to V_(HH) domains from Camelids and to Nanobodies, are the method described by Chothia et al. (Nature 342, 877-883 (1989)), the so-called “AbM definition” and the so-called “contact definition”. However, in the present description, claims and figures, the numbering according to Kabat as applied to V_(HH) domains by Riechmann and Muyldermans will be followed, unless indicated otherwise; and

-   v) The Figures, Sequence Listing and the Experimental Part/Examples     are only given to further illustrate the invention and should not be     interpreted or construed as limiting the scope of the invention     and/or of the appended claims in any way, unless explicitly     indicated otherwise herein.

For a general description of heavy chain antibodies and the variable domains thereof, reference is inter alia made to the prior art cited herein, to the review article by Muyldermans in Reviews in Molecular Biotechnology 74 (2001), 277-302; as well as to the following patent applications, which are mentioned as general background art: WO 94/04678, WO 95/04079 and WO 96/34103 of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel; WO 94/25591, WO 99/37681, WO 00/40968, WO 00/43507, WO 00/65057, WO 01/40310, WO 01/44301, EP 1134231 and WO 02/48193 of Unilever; WO 97/49805, WO 01/21817, WO 03/035694, WO 03/054016 and WO 03/055527 of the Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB); WO 03/050531 of Algonomics N.V. and Ablynx N.V.; WO 01/90190 by the National Research Council of Canada; WO 03/025020 (=EP 1 433 793) by the Institute of Antibodies; as well as WO 04/041867, WO 04/041862, WO 04/041865, WO 04/041863, WO 04/062551, WO 05/044858, WO 06/40153, WO 06/079372, WO 06/122786, WO 06/122787 and WO 06/122825, by Ablynx N.V. and the further published patent applications by Ablynx N.V. Reference is also made to the further prior art mentioned in these applications, and in particular to the list of references mentioned on pages 41-43 of the International application WO 06/040153, which list and references are incorporated herein by reference.

In accordance with the terminology used in the art (see the above references), the variable domains present in naturally occurring heavy chain antibodies will also be referred to as “V_(HH) domains”, in order to distinguish them from the heavy chain variable domains that are present in conventional 4-chain antibodies (which will be referred to hereinbelow as “V_(H) domains”) and from the light chain variable domains that are present in conventional 4-chain antibodies (which will be referred to hereinbelow as “V_(L) domains”).

As mentioned in the prior art referred to above, V_(HH) domains have a number of unique structural characteristics and functional properties which make isolated V_(HH) domains (as well as Nanobodies based thereon, which share these structural characteristics and functional properties with the naturally occurring V_(HH) domains) and proteins containing the same highly advantageous for use as functional antigen-binding domains or proteins. In particular, and without being limited thereto, V_(HH) domains (which have been “designed” by nature to functionally bind to an antigen without the presence of, and without any interaction with, a light chain variable domain) and Nanobodies can function as a single, relatively small, functional antigen-binding structural unit, domain or protein. This distinguishes the V_(HH) domains from the V_(H) and V_(L) domains of conventional 4-chain antibodies, which by themselves are generally not suited for practical application as single antigen-binding proteins or domains, but need to be combined in some form or another to provide a functional antigen-binding unit (as in for example conventional antibody fragments such as Fab fragments; in ScFv's fragments, which consist of a V_(H) domain covalently linked to a V_(L) domain).

Because of these unique properties, the use of V_(HH) domains and Nanobodies as single antigen-binding proteins or as antigen binding domains (i.e. as part of a larger protein or polypeptide) offers a number of significant advantages over the use of conventional V_(H) and V_(L) domains, scFv's or conventional antibody fragments (such as Fab- or F(ab′)₂-fragments):

-   -   only a single domain is required to bind an antigen with high         affinity and with high selectivity, so that there is no need to         have two separate domains present, nor to assure that these two         domains are present in the right spatial conformation and         configuration (i.e. through the use of especially designed         linkers, as with scFv's);     -   V_(HH) domains and Nanobodies can be expressed from a single         gene and require no post-translational folding or modifications;     -   V_(HH) domains and Nanobodies can easily be engineered into         multivalent and multispecific formats (as further discussed         herein);     -   V_(HH) domains and Nanobodies are highly soluble and do not have         a tendency to aggregate (as with the mouse-derived “dAb's”         described by Ward et al., Nature, Vol. 341, 1989, p. 544);     -   V_(HH) domains and Nanobodies are highly stable to heat, pH,         proteases and other denaturing agents or conditions (see for         example Ewert et al, supra);     -   V_(HH) domains and Nanobodies are easy and relatively cheap to         prepare, even on a scale required for production. For example,         V_(HH) domains, Nanobodies and proteins/single variable domains         containing the same can be produced using microbial fermentation         (e.g. as further described below) and do not require the use of         mammalian expression systems, as with for example conventional         antibody fragments;     -   V_(HH) domains and Nanobodies are relatively small         (approximately 15 kDa, or 10 times smaller than a conventional         IgG) compared to conventional 4-chain antibodies and         antigen-binding fragments thereof, and therefore show high(er)         penetration into tissues (including but not limited to solid         tumors and other dense tissues) than such conventional 4-chain         antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof;     -   V_(HH) domains and Nanobodies can show so-called cavity-binding         properties (inter alia due to their extended CDR3 loop, compared         to conventional V_(H) domains) and can therefore also access         targets and epitopes not accessible to conventional 4-chain         antibodies and antigen-binding fragments thereof. For example,         it has been shown that V_(HH) domains and Nanobodies can inhibit         enzymes (see for example WO 97/49805; Transue et al., Proteins         1998 Sep. 1; 32(4): 515-22; Lauwereys et al., EMBO J. 1998 Jul.         1; 17(13): 3512-20).

In a specific and preferred aspect, the invention provides Nanobodies against members for the Notch signalling pathway, and in particular Nanobodies against members of the Notch signalling pathway from a warm-blooded animal, and more in particular Nanobodies against members of the Notch signalling pathway from a mammal, and especially Nanobodies against human members for the Notch signalling pathway, as well as proteins and/or single variable domains comprising at least one such Nanobody.

In particular, the invention provides Nanobodies against members for the Notch signalling pathway, and proteins and/or single variable domains comprising the same, that have improved therapeutic and/or pharmacological properties and/or other advantageous properties (such as, for example, improved ease of preparation and/or reduced costs of goods), compared to conventional antibodies against members of the Notch signalling pathway or fragments thereof, compared to constructs that could be based on such conventional antibodies or antibody fragments (such as Fab′ fragments, F(ab′)₂ fragments, ScFv constructs, “diabodies” and other multispecific constructs (see for example the review by Holliger and Hudson, Nat Biotechnol. 2005 September; 23(9):1126-36)), and also compared to the so-called “dAb's” or similar (single) domain antibodies that may be derived from variable domains of conventional antibodies. These improved and advantageous properties will become clear from the further description herein, and for example include, without limitation, one or more of:

-   -   increased affinity and/or avidity for members for the Notch         signalling pathway, either in a monovalent format, in a         multivalent format (for example in a bivalent format) and/or in         a multispecific format (for example one of the multispecific         formats described hereinbelow);     -   better suitability for formatting in a multivalent format (for         example in a bivalent format);     -   better suitability for formatting in a multispecific format (for         example one of the multispecific formats described hereinbelow);     -   improved suitability or susceptibility for “humanizing”         substitutions (as defined herein);     -   less immunogenicity, either in a monovalent format, in a         multivalent format (for example in a bivalent format) and/or in         a multispecific format (for example one of the multispecific         formats described hereinbelow);     -   increased stability, either in a monovalent format, in a         multivalent format (for example in a bivalent format) and/or in         a multispecific format (for example one of the multispecific         formats described hereinbelow);     -   increased specificity towards members for the Notch signalling         pathway, either in a monovalent format, in a multivalent format         (for example in a bivalent format) and/or in a multispecific         format (for example one of the multispecific formats described         hereinbelow);     -   decreased or where desired increased cross-reactivity with         members of the Notch signalling pathway from different species;         and/or     -   one or more other improved properties desirable for         pharmaceutical use (including prophylactic use and/or         therapeutic use) and/or for diagnostic use (including but not         limited to use for imaging purposes), either in a monovalent         format, in a multivalent format (for example in a bivalent         format) and/or in a multispecific format (for example one of the         multispecific formats described hereinbelow).

As generally described herein for the single variable domains of the invention, the Nanobodies of the invention are preferably in essentially isolated form (as defined herein), or form part of a protein or polypeptide of the invention (as defined herein), which may comprise or essentially consist of one or more Nanobodies of the invention and which may optionally further comprise one or more further single variable domains (all optionally linked via one or more suitable linkers). For example, and without limitation, the one or more single variable domains of the invention may be used as a binding unit in such a protein or polypeptide, which may optionally contain one or more further single variable domains that can serve as a binding unit (i.e. against one or more other targets than members for the Notch signalling pathway), so as to provide a monovalent, multivalent or multispecific polypeptide of the invention, respectively, all as described herein. In particular, such a protein or polypeptide may comprise or essentially consist of one or more Nanobodies of the invention and optionally one or more (other) Nanobodies (i.e. directed against other targets than members for the Notch signalling pathway), all optionally linked via one or more suitable linkers, so as to provide a monovalent, multivalent or multispecific Nanobody construct, respectively, as further described herein. Such proteins or single variable domains may also be in essentially isolated form (as defined herein).

In a Nanobody of the invention, the binding site for binding against members of the Notch signalling pathway is preferably formed by the CDR sequences. Optionally, a Nanobody of the invention may also, and in addition to the at least one binding site for binding against members for the Notch signalling pathway, contain one or more further binding sites for binding against other antigens, proteins or targets. For methods and positions for introducing such second binding sites, reference is for example made to Keck and Huston, Biophysical Journal, 71, October 1996, 2002-2011; EP 0 640 130; and WO 06/07260.

As generally described herein for the single variable domains of the invention, when a Nanobody of the invention (or a polypeptide of the invention comprising the same) is intended for administration to a subject (for example for therapeutic and/or diagnostic purposes as described herein), it is preferably directed against human members for the Notch signalling pathway; whereas for veterinary purposes, it is preferably directed against members of the Notch signalling pathway from the species to be treated. Also, as with the single variable domains of the invention, a Nanobody of the invention may or may not be cross-reactive (i.e. directed against members of the Notch signalling pathway from two or more species of mammal, such as against human members of the Notch signalling pathway and members of the Notch signalling pathway from at least one of the species of mammal mentioned herein).

Also, again as generally described herein for the single variable domains of the invention, the Nanobodies of the invention may generally be directed against any antigenic determinant, epitope, part, domain, subunit or confirmation (where applicable) of members for the Notch signalling pathway. However, it is generally assumed and preferred that the Nanobodies of the invention (and single variable domains comprising the same) are directed against the receptor-ligand binding epitopes of the members of the Notch signalling pathway.

As already described herein, the amino acid sequence and structure of a Nanobody can be considered—without however being limited thereto—to be comprised of four framework regions or “FR's” (or sometimes also referred to as “FW's”), which are referred to in the art and herein as “Framework region 1” or “FR1”; as “Framework region 2” or “FR2”; as “Framework region 3” or “FR3”; and as “Framework region 4” or “FR4”, respectively; which framework regions are interrupted by three complementary determining regions or “CDR's”, which are referred to in the art as “Complementarity Determining Region 1” or “CDR1”; as “Complementarity Determining Region 2” or “CDR2”; and as “Complementarity Determining Region 3” or “CDR3”, respectively. Some preferred framework sequences and CDR's (and combinations thereof) that are present in the Nanobodies of the invention are as described herein. Other suitable CDR sequences can be obtained by the methods described herein.

According to a non-limiting but preferred aspect of the invention, (the CDR sequences present in) the Nanobodies of the invention are such that:

-   -   the Nanobodies can bind to members of the Notch signalling         pathway with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻¹²         moles/liter or less, and preferably 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or         less and more preferably 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter (i.e. with an         association constant (K_(A)) of 10⁵ to 10¹² liter/moles or more,         and preferably 10⁷ to 10¹² liter/moles or more and more         preferably 10⁸ to 10¹² liter/moles);         and/or such that:     -   the Nanobodies can bind to members of the Notch signalling         pathway with a k_(on)-rate of between 10² M⁻¹s⁻¹ to about 10⁷         M⁻¹s⁻¹, preferably between 10³ M⁻¹s⁻¹ and 10⁷ M⁻¹s⁻¹, more         preferably between 10⁴ M⁻¹s⁻¹ and 10⁷ M⁻¹s⁻¹, such as between         10⁵ M⁻¹s⁻¹ and 10⁷ M⁻¹s⁻¹;         and/or such that they:     -   the Nanobodies can bind to members of the Notch signalling         pathway with a k_(off) rate between 1 s⁻¹ (t_(1/2)=0.69 s) and         10⁻⁶ s⁻¹ (providing a near irreversible complex with a t_(1/2)         of multiple days), preferably between 10⁻² s⁻¹ and 10⁻⁶ s⁻¹,         more preferably between 10⁻³ s⁻¹ and 10⁻⁶ s⁻¹, such as between         10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ and 10⁻⁶ s⁻¹.

Preferably, (the CDR sequences present in) the Nanobodies of the invention are such that: a monovalent Nanobody of the invention (or a polypeptide that contains only one Nanobody of the invention) is preferably such that it will bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway with an affinity less than 500 nM, preferably less than 200 nM, more preferably less than 10 nM, such as less than 500 pM.

The affinity of the Nanobody of the invention against members of the Notch signalling pathway can be determined in a manner known per se, for example using the general techniques for measuring K_(D). K_(A), k_(off) or k_(on) mentioned herein, as well as some of the specific assays described herein.

Some preferred IC50 values for binding of the Nanobodies of the invention (and of single variable domains comprising the same) to members of the Notch signalling pathway will become clear from the further description and examples herein.

In a preferred but non-limiting aspect, the invention relates to a Nanobody (as defined herein) against members for the Notch signalling pathway, which consists of 4 framework regions (FR1 to FR4 respectively) and 3 complementarity determining regions (CDR1 to CDR3 respectively), in which:

-   -   CDR1 is chosen from the group consisting of:

-   a) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [144-161];

-   b) single variable domains that have at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID     NO's: [144-161];

-   c) single variable domains that have 3, 2, or 1 amino acid     difference with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ     ID NO's: [144-161];     and/or     -   CDR2 is chosen from the group consisting of:

-   d) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [180-197];

-   e) single variable domains that have at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID     NO's: [180-197];

-   f) single variable domains that have 3, 2, or 1 amino acid     difference with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ     ID NO's: [180-197];     and/or     -   CDR3 is chosen from the group consisting of:

-   g) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [216-233];

-   h) single variable domains that have at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID     NO's: [216-233];

-   i) single variable domains that have 3, 2, or 1 amino acid     difference with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ     ID NO's: [216-233];     or any suitable fragment of such an amino acid sequence.

In particular, according to this preferred but non-limiting aspect, the invention relates to a Nanobody (as defined herein) against members for the Notch signalling pathway, which consists of 4 framework regions (FR1 to FR4 respectively) and 3 complementarity determining regions (CDR1 to CDR3 respectively), in which:

-   -   CDR1 is chosen from the group consisting of:

-   a) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [144-161];

-   b) single variable domains that have at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID     NO's: [144-161];

-   c) single variable domains that have 3, 2, or 1 amino acid     difference with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ     ID NO's: [144-161];     and     -   CDR2 is chosen from the group consisting of:

-   d) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [180-197];

-   e) single variable domains that have at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID     NO's: [180-197];

-   f) single variable domains that have 3, 2, or 1 amino acid     difference with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ     ID NO's: [180-197];     and     -   CDR3 is chosen from the group consisting of:

-   g) the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [216-233];

-   h) single variable domains that have at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID     NO's: [216-233];

-   i) single variable domains that have 3, 2, or 1 amino acid     difference with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ     ID NO's: [216-233];     or any suitable fragment of such an amino acid sequences.

As generally mentioned herein for the single variable domains of the invention, when a Nanobody of the invention contains one or more 144-161 according to b) and/or c):

-   i) any amino acid substitution in such a CDR according to b)     and/or c) is preferably, and compared to the corresponding CDR     according to a), a conservative amino acid substitution (as defined     herein);     and/or -   ii) the CDR according to b) and/or c) preferably only contains amino     acid substitutions, and no amino acid deletions or insertions,     compared to the corresponding CDR according to a);     and/or -   iii) the CDR according to b) and/or c) may be a CDR that is derived     from a CDR according to a) by means of affinity maturation using one     or more techniques of affinity maturation known per se.

Similarly, when a Nanobody of the invention contains one or more 180-197 according to e) and/or f):

-   i) any amino acid substitution in such a CDR according to e)     and/or f) is preferably, and compared to the corresponding CDR     according to d), a conservative amino acid substitution (as defined     herein);     and/or -   ii) the CDR according to e) and/or f) preferably only contains amino     acid substitutions, and no amino acid deletions or insertions,     compared to the corresponding CDR according to d);     and/or -   iii) the CDR according to e) and/or f) may be a CDR that is derived     from a CDR according to d) by means of affinity maturation using one     or more techniques of affinity maturation known per se.

Also, similarly, when a Nanobody of the invention contains one or more 216-233 according to h) and/or i):

-   i) any amino acid substitution in such a CDR according to h)     and/or i) is preferably, and compared to the corresponding CDR     according to g), a conservative amino acid substitution (as defined     herein);     and/or -   ii) the CDR according to h) and/or i) preferably only contains amino     acid substitutions, and no amino acid deletions or insertions,     compared to the corresponding CDR according to g);     and/or -   iii) the CDR according to h) and/or i) may be a CDR that is derived     from a CDR according to g) by means of affinity maturation using one     or more techniques of affinity maturation known per se.

It should be understood that the last three paragraphs generally apply to any Nanobody of the invention that comprises one or more 144-161, 180-197 and/or 216-233 according to b), c), e), f), h) or i), respectively.

Of the Nanobodies of the invention, Nanobodies comprising one or more of the CDR's explicitly listed above are particularly preferred; Nanobodies comprising two or more of the CDR's explicitly listed above are more particularly preferred; and Nanobodies comprising three of the CDR's explicitly listed above are most particularly preferred.

Some particularly preferred, but non-limiting combinations of CDR sequences, as well as preferred combinations of CDR sequences and framework sequences, are mentioned in Table A-1B below, which lists the CDR sequences and framework sequences that are present in a number of preferred (but non-limiting) Nanobodies of the invention. As will be clear to the skilled person, a combination of CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 that occur in the same clone (i.e. CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 that are mentioned on the same line in Table A-1B) will usually be preferred (although the invention in its broadest sense is not limited thereto, and also comprises other suitable combinations of the CDR sequences mentioned in Table A-1B). Also, a combination of CDR sequences and framework sequences that occur in the same clone (i.e. CDR sequences and framework sequences that are mentioned on the same line in Table A-1B) will usually be preferred (although the invention in its broadest sense is not limited thereto, and also comprises other suitable combinations of the CDR sequences and framework sequences mentioned in Table A-1B, as well as combinations of such CDR sequences and other suitable framework sequences, e.g. as further described herein).

Also, in the Nanobodies of the invention that comprise the combinations of CDR's mentioned in Table A-1B, each CDR can be replaced by a CDR chosen from the group consisting of single variable domains that have at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, even more preferably at least 99% sequence identity (as defined herein) with the mentioned CDR's; in which:

-   i) any amino acid substitution in such a CDR is preferably, and     compared to the corresponding CDR sequence mentioned in Table A-1B,     a conservative amino acid substitution (as defined herein);     and/or -   ii) any such CDR sequence preferably only contains amino acid     substitutions, and no amino acid deletions or insertions, compared     to the corresponding CDR sequence mentioned in Table A-1B;     and/or -   iii) any such CDR sequence is a CDR that is derived by means of a     technique for affinity maturation known per se, and in particular     starting from the corresponding CDR sequence mentioned in Table     A-1B.

However, as will be clear to the skilled person, the (combinations of) CDR sequences, as well as (the combinations of) CDR sequences and framework sequences mentioned in Table A-1B will generally be preferred.

TABLE A-1A Preferred single variable domains (Nanobodies ™). (“Clone name” (first column) and “SEQ ID NO: XXX” are also used to refer to the corresponding preferred single variable domain sequence itself and all three terms can be used interchangeably, e.g. terms: “178C4”, “SEQ ID NO: 252” and “EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCAASGRTFSDYAMAWFRQAPGKER EFVAAISWSGDSTSYADSVKGRFTISRHNAENTVFLQMNSLKPEDTAVYYCAADRRVRVHGSWYGSEYWGQGTQVTVSS” can be used interchangeably) Clone SEQ ID name Target NO: Preferred single variable domains (Nanobodies ™). >179E6 DLL4 329 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCIASGDTSEIYDMGWFRQAPGKEREFVSSIHWRGRGTNYTDSVEGRFTISKDNAKNM VYLQMNSLKPEDTAVYYCAATRLIVYTPTGFRQYFDWGQGAQVTVSS >179H9 DLL4 330 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCAASG??F?SDVMGWFRRAPGKEREFVASITTTGNEYYEDSLKGRFTVSRDIAENTM YLEMTNLKPEDTAEYSCAGRLLGSTIRSHEYRYWGQGTQVTVSS >179A10 DLL4 331 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCVASGDTSEIYDMGWFRQAPGKEREFVSSIHWGGRGTNYTDSVKGRFTISKDNAKN MVHLQMNSLKPEDTAVYYCAATRLIVYTPTGFRQYFDWGQGTQVTVSS >179D12 DLL4 332 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCVASGDTSEIYDMGWFRQAPGKEREFVSSIHWGGRGTNYTDSVKGRFTISKDNAKN MVYLQMNSLKPEDTAVYYCAATRLIVYTPTGFRQYFDWGQGTQVTVSS >179F6 DLL4 333 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCAASGSDFSGFLLGWYRQPPGKQRELIAQTTDGGRTNYGDSVKGRFTISRDNAKNT WYLQMDSLKPEDTGVYYCNTFPLTSWGQGTQVTVSS >179F7 DLL4 334 EVQLVESGGGLVQSGGSLSLSCAASGSVLRINDMGWYRQAPGKTREMVATITRSGVLNYTDSVKGRFTVSRDDAKNT VYLQMSSLKPEDTAVYSCFANIVIRSSGYFNRYWGQGTLVTVSS >178C4 Jagged-1 335 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCAASGFTFDDYAIGWFRQAPGKEREGVSCMRGRDGSTYYADSVNGRFTISSDNAKN TVYLQMNSLKPEDTAVYYCAAHTDFACYIGYYSDYDPHDYWGQGTQVTVSS >178A7 Jagged-1 336 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCATSGVIFSTAAMGWYRQAPGKSRVLVARMFSDGRTIYAESVKRRFTISRDNAKNTV YLQMNSLEPEDTAVYYCNALQFGAVYWGQGTQVTVSS >178D9 Jagged-1 337 EVQLVKSGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGSIVSANLIGWYRQAPGKQREGVAFITSGGAINYADSVKGRFTISRDDAKNTVY LQMNSLKPEDTAIYYCNLRQLGNVYWAQGTQVTVSS >178C11 Jagged-1 338 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCATSGVIFSTAAMGWYRQAPGKSRVLVARMFSDGRTIYAESVKRRFTISRDNAKNTV YLQMNSLEPEDTAVYYCNALQFGAVYWGQGTQVTVSS >180A4 Notch-1 339 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGRTSSPIAMGWFRQAPGKEREFVSGITWSGAYTHYANSVKGRFTISRDSAKNT VYLQMNSLKPEDTAVYYCTTATNSTTGYDYWGQGTQVTVSS >180B1 Notch-1 340 EVQLVESGGDLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGTVFSNNDMGWSRQAPGKERELVASFTSGGNTVYADAAKGRFTISRDNSKNT VYLEMNSLKPDDTAVYYCRVVDLLRGKLYWGQGTQVTVSS >180B3 Notch-1 341 EVQLVESGGDLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGTVFSNNDMGWSRQAPGKERELVASFTSGGNTVYADAAKGRFTISRDNSKNT VYLEMNSLKPDDTAVYYCRVVDLLRGKLYWGQGTQVTVSS >180C1 Notch-1 342 EVQLVESGGDLVQPGGSLRLSCAASRTVFSISDMGWSRQAPGKERELVASISSDNYTVYADAAKGRFTISRDNSKNTV YLEMNSLKPDDTAVYYCRVVDPLRGKLYWGQGTQVTVSS >180C7 Notch-1 343 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCAASGGIFGINAVAWYRQAPGKERDWVALIVGEAITRYTDSVSGRFTISRDNAKNTVY LEMNSLKPDDTAVYYCRVVDPLRGKLYWGQGTQVTVSS >180F8 Notch-1 344 EVQLVESGGDLVQPGGSLRLSCTTSGTVFSINDMGWSRQAPGKGRELVASISSEGTTIYADAAKGRFTISRDNSKNTVY LEMNSLKPDDTAVYYCRVVDPLRGKLYWGQGTQVTVSS >180F4 Notch-1 345 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGDSLRLSCAVSGGSFSSYTMGWVRQAPGKEREAVASIWRSGGNTYYADSVKGRFTVSRDNAK HTVYLQMNSLKPEDTAVYYCAAASFAPGSRGYDYWGQGTQVTVSS >180F5 Notch-1 346 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGRTSSPIAMGWFRQAPGKEREFVSGITWSGAYTHYANSVKGRFTISRDSAKNT VYLQMNSLKPEDTAVYYCTTATNSTTGYDYWGQGTQVTVSS >180F10 Notch-1 347 EVQLVESGGDLVQPGGSLRLSCAASATVFSNSDMGWSRQAPGKERELVASITTDGNTLYADAAKGRFAIYRDNSKNTV YLEMNSLKPDDTAVYYCRVVDLLRGKLYWGQGTQVTVSS >181G4 Notch-2 348 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCAASGSIFSITEMDWYRQAPGKQREWVAGETSDGSTNYADSVKGRFTISRDNANNA VYLQMNRLKPEDTAVYHCAASLRNSGSNVEGRYWGQGTQVTVSS >181B4 Notch-2 349 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGRINSMNWYHQAPGKEREWVASITSSGTAIYADSVKGRITISRDNAKNTVYLQ MNSLKTEDTGVYYCAANLQNARGSYYGQGTQVTVSS >181D4 Notch-2 350 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFGDYAMNWVRQAPGKGLEWVSSISAGGYSTTYADSVKGRFTISRDNAKN TLYLQMNSLNPEDTAVYYCARGDWRYGSRGQGTQVTVSS >181E4 Notch-2 351 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCAASGSMSSINAMRWYRQASGKQREPVAEITSEGTIIYADSVKGRFTTSRDNAKNTV YLQMNSLKPEDTGVYYCAADDGARGSYYGQGTQVTVSS >181F4 Notch-2 352 EVQLVESGGALVQAGGSLRLSCVASGSSFSINDMDWYRQAPGKTREWVAGINEYGGRNYANSVKDRFTISTDNAKNT VYLQMNSLKPEDTGVYYCAATLAKGGGRYWGQGTPVTVSS >181H4 Notch-2 353 EVKLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGSIFRFNGVDWYRQAPGAEREWVAGFGSGGTTNYADSVKGRFIVSRDNAENT VFLQMNSLKPEDSAVYFCAASIEGVSGRYYGQGTQVTVSS >181A5 Notch-2 354 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCVVSGSILSINTMDWYRQAPGNEREWVGGITDGGRSNYADSVKDRFTIYRANAKNTV YLQMNSLKPEDTAVYYCAADLRGGIATTGRYWGQGTQVTVSS >181C10 Notch-2 355 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCAASGMTTIGPMGWYRQGPGKQRELVARITGGGSTNYVDSAKGRFTISRDNAKNAV YLQMNNLKLDDTAVYYCNAYGSGSDYLPIDYWGQGTQVTVSS >181C11 Notch-2 356 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCAASGMTTIGPMGWYRQGPGKQRELVARITGGGSTNYVDSAKGRFTISRDNAKNMG YLQMNNLKLDDTAIYYCYAYGSGSDYLPTDYWGQGTQVTVSS >181D11 Notch-2 357 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCAASGMTTIGPMGWYRQGPGKQRELVARITGGGSTNYVDSAKGRFTISRHNAKNMV YLQMNNLKLDDTAVYYCNAYGSGSDYLPMDYWGQGTQVTVSS

TABLE A-1B Preferred combinations of CDR sequences, preferred combinations of framework sequences, and preferred combinations of framework and CDR sequences. (“ID” refers to the SEQ ID NO and is referenced e.g. below whereas “ID”/“ID SEQ ID NO” number on the right of the sequence refers to corresponding sequence) Preferred combinations FR1 ID CDR1 ID FR2 ID CDR2 ID 1 EVQLVESG 126 IYDMG 155 WFRQAPGKE 184 SIHWRGRGTN 213 GGLVQAGG REFVS YTDSVEG SLRLSCIAS GDTSE 2 EVQLVESG 127 SDVMG 156 WFRRAPGKE 185 SITTTGNEYYE 214 GGLVQAGG REFVA DSLKG SLRLSCAAS GxxFx 3 EVQLVESG 128 IYDMG 157 WFRQAPGKE 186 SIHWGGRGTN 215 GGLVQAGG REFVS YTDSVKG SLRLSCVAS GDTSE 4 EVQLVESG 129 IYDMG 158 WFRQAPGKE 187 SIHWGGRGTN 216 GGLVQAGG REFVS YTDSVKG SLRLSCVAS GDTSE 5 EVQLVESG 130 GFLLG 159 WYRQPPGKQ 188 QTTDGGRTNY 217 GGLVQAGG RELIA GDSVKG SLRLSCAAS GSDFS 6 EVQLVESG 131 INDMG 160 WYRQAPGKT 189 TITRSGVLNYT 218 GGLVQSGG REMVA DSVKG SLSLSCAAS GSVLR 7 EVQLVESG 132 DYAIG 161 WFRQAPGKE 190 CMRGRDGST 219 GGLVQAGG REGVS YYADSVNG SLRLSCAAS GFTFD 8 EVQLVESG 133 TAAMG 162 WYRQAPGKS 191 RMFSDGRTIY 220 GGLVQPGG RVLVA AESVKR SLRLSCATS GVIFS 9 EVQLVKSG 134 ANLIG 163 WYRQAPGKQ 192 FITSGGAINYA 221 GGLVQPGG REGVA DSVKG SLRLSCAAS GSIVS 10 EVQLVESG 135 TAAMG 164 WYRQAPGKS 193 RMFSDGRTIY 222 GGLVQPGG RVLVA AESVKR SLRLSCATS GVIFS 11 EVQLVESG 136 PIAMG 165 WFRQAPGKE 194 GITWSGAYTH 223 GGLVQPGG REFVS YANSVKG SLRLSCAAS GRTSS 12 EVQLVESG 137 NNDMG 166 WSRQAPGKE 195 SFTSGGNTVY 224 GDLVQPGG RELVA ADAAKG SLRLSCAAS GTVFS 13 EVQLVESG 138 NNDMG 167 WSRQAPGKE 196 SFTSGGNTVY 225 GDLVQPGG RELVA ADAAKG SLRLSCAAS GTVFS 14 EVQLVESG 139 ISDMG 168 WSRQAPGKE 197 SISSDNYTVYA 226 GDLVQPGG RELVA DAAKG SLRLSCAAS RTVFS 15 EVQLVESG 140 INAVA 169 WYRQAPGKE 198 LIVGEAITRYT 227 GGLVQAGG RDWVA DSVSG SLRLSCAAS GGIFG 16 EVQLVESG 141 INDMG 170 WSRQAPGKG 199 SISSEGTTIYA 228 GDLVQPGG RELVA DAAKG SLRLSCTTS GTVFS 17 EVQLVESG 142 SYTMG 171 WVRQAPGKE 200 SIWRSGGNTY 229 GGLVQAGD REAVA YADSVKG SLRLSCAVS GGSFS 18 EVQLVESG 143 PIAMG 172 WFRQAPGKE 201 GITWSGAYTH 230 GGLVQPGG REFVS YANSVKG SLRLACAAS GRTSS 19 EVQLVESG 144 NSDMG 173 WSRQAPGKE 202 SITTDGNTLYA 231 GDLVQPGG RELVA DAAKG SLRLSCAAS ATVFS 20 EVQLVESG 145 ITEMD 174 WYRQAPGKQ 203 GETSDGSTNY 232 GGLVQAGG REWVA ADSVKG SLRLSCAAS GSIFS 21 EVQLVESG 146 MN 175 WYHQAPGKE 204 SITSSGTAIYA 233 GGLVQPGG REWVA DSVKG SLRLSCAAS GRINS 22 EVQLVESG 147 DYAMN 176 WVRQAPGKG 205 SISAGGYSTTY 234 GGLVQPGG LEWVS ADSVKG SLRLSCAAS GFTFG 23 EVQLVESG 148 INAMR 177 WYRQASGKQ 206 EITSEGTIIYAD 235 GGLVQAGG REPVA SVKG SLRLSCAAS GSMSS 24 EVQLVESG 149 INDMD 178 WYRQAPGKT 207 GINEYGGRNY 236 GALVQAGG REWVA ANSVKD SLRLSCVAS GSSFS 25 EVKLVESGG 150 FNGVD 179 WYRQAPGAE 208 GFGSGGTTNY 237 GLVQPGGS REWVA ADSVKG LRLSCAASG SIFR 26 EVQLVESG 151 INTMD 180 WYRQAPGNE 209 GITDGGRSNY 238 GGLVQAGG REWVG ADSVKD SLRLSCVVS GSILS 27 EVQLVESG 152 GPMG 181 WYRQGPGKQ 210 RITGGSTNY 239 GGLVQAGG RELVA VDSAKG SLRLSCAAS GMTTI 28 EVQLVESG 153 GPMG 182 WYRQGPGKQ 211 RITGGGSTNY 240 GGLVQAGG RELVA VDSAKG SLRLSCAAS GMTTI 29 EVQLVESG 154 GPMG 183 WYRQGPGKQ 212 RITGGGSTNY 241 GGLVQAGG RELVA VDSAKG SLRLSCAAS GMTTI Preferred combinations FR3 ID CDR3 ID FR4 ID 1 RFTISKDNA 242 TRLIVYTPTGFR 271 WGQGAQ 300 KNMVYLQM QYFD VTVSS NSLKPEDTA VYYCAA 2 RFTVSRDIA 243 RLLGSTIRSHEY 272 WGQGTQ 301 ENTMYLEMT RY VTVSS NLKPEDTAE YSCAG 3 RFTISKDNA 244 TRLIVYTPTGFR 273 WGQGTQ 302 KNMVHLQM QYFD VTVSS NSLKPEDTA VYYCAA 4 RFTISKDNA 245 TRLIVYTPTGFR 274 WGQGTQ 303 KNMVYLQM QYFD VTVSS NSLKPEDTA VYYCAA 5 RFTISRDNA 246 FPLTS 275 WGQGTQ 304 KNTWYLQM VTVSS DSLKPEDTG VYYCNT 6 RFTVSRDDA 247 NIVIRSSGYFNR 276 WGQGTLV 305 KNTVYLQMS Y TVSS SLKPEDTAV YSCFA 7 RFTISSDNA 248 HTDFACYIGYYS 277 WGQGTQ 306 KNTVYLQMN DYDPHDY VTVSS SLKPEDTAV YYCAA 8 RFTISRDNA 249 LQFGAVY 278 WGQGTQ 307 KNTVYLQMN VTVSS SLEPEDTAV YYCNA 9 RFTISRDDA 250 RQLGNVY 279 WAQGTQ 308 KNTVYLQMN VTVSS SLKPEDTAIY YCNL 10 RFTISRDNA 251 LQFGAVY 280 WGQGTQ 309 KNTVYLQMN VTVSS SLEPEDTAV YYCNA 11 RFTISRDSA 252 ATNSTTGYDY 281 WGQGTQ 310 KNTVYLQMN VTVSS SLKPEDTAV YYCTT 12 RFTISRDNS 253 VDLLRGKLY 282 WGQGTQ 311 KNTVYLEMN VTVSS SLKPDDTAV YYCRV 13 RFTISRDNS 254 VDLLRGKLY 283 WGQGTQ 312 KNTVYLEMN VTVSS SLKPDDTAV YYCRV 14 RFTISRDNS 255 VDPLRGKLY 284 WGQGTQ 313 KNTVYLEMN VTVSS SLKPDDTAV YYCRV 15 RFTISRDNA 256 VDPLRGKLY 285 WGQGTQ 314 KNTVYLEMN VTVSS SLKPDDTAV YYCRV 16 RFTISRDNS 257 VDPLRGKLY 286 WGQGTQ 315 KNTVYLEMN VTVSS SLKPDDTAV YYCRV 17 RFTVSRDNA 258 ASFAPGSRGYDY 287 WGQGTQ 316 KHTVYLQMN VTVSS SLKPEDTAV YYCAA 18 RFTISRDSA 259 ATNSTTGYDY 288 WGQGTQ 317 KNTVYLQMN VTVSS SLKPEDTAV YYCTT 19 RFAIYRDNS 260 VDLLRGKLY 289 WGTQGTQ 318 KNTVYLEMN VTVSS SLKPDDTAV YYCRV 20 RFTISRDNA 261 SLRNSGSNVEG 290 WGQGTQ 319 NNAVYLQM RY VTVSS NRLKPEDTA VYHCAA 21 RITISRDNAK 262 NLQNARGSY 291 YGQGTQV 320 NTVYLQMNS TVSS LKTEDTGVY YCAA 22 RFTISRDNA 263 GDWRYGS 292 RGQGTQV 321 KNTLYLQMN TVSS SLNPEDTAV YYCAR 23 RFTTSRDNA 264 DDGARGSY 293 YGQGTQV 322 KNTVYLQMN TVSS SLKPEDTGV YYCAA 24 RFTISTDNAK 265 TLAKGGGRY 294 WGQGTP 323 NTVYLQMNS VTVSS LKPEDTGVY YCAA 25 RFIVSRDNA 266 SIEGVSGRY 295 YGQGTQV 324 ENTVFLQMN TVSS SLKPEDSAV YFCAA 26 RFTIYRANA 267 DLRGGIATTGRY 296 WGQGTQ 325 KNTVYLQMN VTVSS SLKPEDTAV YYCAA 27 RFTISRDNA 268 YGSGSDYLPIDY 297 WGQGTQ 326 KNAVYLQMN VTVSS NLKLDDTAV YYCNA 28 RFTISRDNA 269 YGSGSDYLPTDY 298 WGQGTQ 327 KNMGYLQM VTVSS NNLKLDDTAI YYCYA 29 RFTISRHNA 270 YGSGSDYLPMDY 299 WGQGTQ 328 KNMVYLQM VTVSS NNLKLDDTA VYYCNA

Thus, in the Nanobodies of the invention, at least one of the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 present is suitably chosen from the group consisting of the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, respectively, listed in Table A-1B; or from the group of CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, respectively, that have at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, even more preferably at least 99% “sequence identity” (as defined herein) with at least one of the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, respectively, listed in Table A-1B; and/or from the group consisting of the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, respectively, that have 3, 2 or only 1 “amino acid difference(s)” (as defined herein) with at least one of the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, respectively, listed in Table A-1B.

In this context, by “suitably chosen” is meant that, as applicable, a CDR1 sequence is chosen from suitable CDR1 (i.e. as defined herein), a CDR2 sequence is chosen from suitable CDR2 (i.e. as defined herein), and a CDR3 sequence is chosen from suitable CDR3 sequence (i.e. as defined herein), respectively. More in particular, the CDR sequences are preferably chosen such that the Nanobodies of the invention bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway with an affinity (suitably measured and/or expressed as a K_(D)-value (actual or apparent), a K_(A)-value (actual or apparent), a k_(on)-rate and/or a k_(off)-rate, or alternatively as an IC₅₀ value, as further described herein) that is as defined herein.

In particular, in the Nanobodies of the invention, at least the CDR3 sequence present is suitably chosen from the group consisting of the CDR3 listed in Table A-1B or from the group of CDR3 that have at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, even more preferably at least 99% sequence identity with at least one of the CDR3 listed in Table A-1B; and/or from the group consisting of the CDR3 that have 3, 2 or only 1 amino acid difference(s) with at least one of the CDR3 listed in Table A-1B.

Preferably, in the Nanobodies of the invention, at least two of the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 present are suitably chosen from the group consisting of the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, respectively, listed in Table A-1B or from the group consisting of CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, respectively, that have at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, even more preferably at least 99% sequence identity with at least one of the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, respectively, listed in Table A-1B; and/or from the group consisting of the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, respectively, that have 3, 2 or only 1 “amino acid difference(s)” with at least one of the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, respectively, listed in Table A-1B.

In particular, in the Nanobodies of the invention, at least the CDR3 sequence present is suitably chosen from the group consisting of the CDR3 listed in Table A-1B or from the group of CDR3 that have at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, even more preferably at least 99% sequence identity with at least one of the CDR3 listed in Table A-1B, respectively; and at least one of the CDR1 and CDR2 present is suitably chosen from the group consisting of the CDR1 and 180-197, respectively, listed in Table A-1B or from the group of CDR1 and CDR2, respectively, that have at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, even more preferably at least 99% sequence identity with at least one of the CDR1 and CDR2, respectively, listed in Table A-1B; and/or from the group consisting of the CDR1 and CDR2, respectively, that have 3, 2 or only 1 amino acid difference(s) with at least one of the CDR1 and CDR2, respectively, listed in Table A-1B.

Most preferably, in the Nanobodies of the invention, all three CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 present are suitably chosen from the group consisting of the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, respectively, listed in Table A-1B or from the group of CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, respectively, that have at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, even more preferably at least 99% sequence identity with at least one of the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, respectively, listed in Table A-1B; and/or from the group consisting of the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, respectively, that have 3, 2 or only 1 amino acid difference(s) with at least one of the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, respectively, listed in Table A-1B.

Even more preferably, in the Nanobodies of the invention, at least one of the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 present is suitably chosen from the group consisting of the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, respectively, listed in Table A-1B. Preferably, in this aspect, at least one or preferably both of the other two CDR sequences present are suitably chosen from CDR sequences that have at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, even more preferably at least 99% sequence identity with at least one of the corresponding CDR sequences, respectively, listed in Table A-1B; and/or from the group consisting of the CDR sequences that have 3, 2 or only 1 amino acid difference(s) with at least one of the corresponding sequences, respectively, listed in Table A-1B.

In particular, in the Nanobodies of the invention, at least the CDR3 sequence present is suitably chosen from the group consisting of the CDR3 listed in Table A-1B. Preferably, in this aspect, at least one and preferably both of the CDR1 and CDR2 present are suitably chosen from the groups of CDR1 and CDR2, respectively, that have at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, even more preferably at least 99% sequence identity with the CDR1 and CDR2, respectively, listed in Table A-1B; and/or from the group consisting of the CDR1 and CDR2, respectively, that have 3, 2 or only 1 amino acid difference(s) with at least one of the CDR1 and CDR2, respectively, listed in Table A-1B.

Even more preferably, in the Nanobodies of the invention, at least two of the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 present are suitably chosen from the group consisting of the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, respectively, listed in Table A-1B. Preferably, in this aspect, the remaining CDR sequence present is suitably chosen from the group of CDR sequences that have at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, even more preferably at least 99% sequence identity with at least one of the corresponding CDR sequences listed in Table A-1B; and/or from the group consisting of CDR sequences that have 3, 2 or only 1 amino acid difference(s) with at least one of the corresponding sequences listed in Table A-1B.

In particular, in the Nanobodies of the invention, at least the CDR3 sequence is suitably chosen from the group consisting of the 216-233 listed in Table A-1B, and either the CDR1 sequence or the CDR2 sequence is suitably chosen from the group consisting of the CDR1 and CDR2, respectively, listed in Table A-1B. Preferably, in this aspect, the remaining CDR sequence present is suitably chosen from the group of CDR sequences that have at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, even more preferably at least 99% sequence identity with at least one of the corresponding CDR sequences listed in Table A-1B; and/or from the group consisting of CDR sequences that have 3, 2 or only 1 amino acid difference(s) with the corresponding CDR sequences listed in Table A-1B.

Even more preferably, in the Nanobodies of the invention, all three CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 present are suitably chosen from the group consisting of the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, respectively, listed in Table A-1B.

Also, generally, the combinations of CDR's listed in Table A-1B (i.e. those mentioned on the same line in Table A-1B) are preferred. Thus, it is generally preferred that, when a CDR in a Nanobody of the invention is a CDR sequence mentioned in Table A-1B or is suitably chosen from the group of CDR sequences that have at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, even more preferably at least 99% sequence identity with a CDR sequence listed in Table A-1B; and/or from the group consisting of CDR sequences that have 3, 2 or only 1 amino acid difference(s) with a CDR sequence listed in Table A-1B, that at least one and preferably both of the other CDR's are suitably chosen from the CDR sequences that belong to the same combination in Table A-1B (i.e. mentioned on the same line in Table A-1B) or are suitably chosen from the group of CDR sequences that have at least 80%, preferably at least 90%, more preferably at least 95%, even more preferably at least 99% sequence identity with the CDR sequence(s) belonging to the same combination and/or from the group consisting of CDR sequences that have 3, 2 or only 1 amino acid difference(s) with the CDR sequence(s) belonging to the same combination. The other preferences indicated in the above paragraphs also apply to the combinations of CDR's mentioned in Table A-1B.

Thus, by means of non-limiting examples, a Nanobody of the invention can for example comprise a CDR1 sequence that has more than 80% sequence identity with one of the CDR1 mentioned in Table A-1B, a CDR2 sequence that has 3, 2 or 1 amino acid difference with one of the CDR2 mentioned in Table A-1B (but belonging to a different combination), and a CDR3 sequence.

Some preferred Nanobodies of the invention may for example comprise: (1) a CDR1 sequence that has more than 80% sequence identity with one of the CDR1 mentioned in Table A-1B; a CDR2 sequence that has 3, 2 or 1 amino acid difference with one of the CDR2 mentioned in Table A-1B (but belonging to a different combination); and a CDR3 sequence that has more than 80% sequence identity with one of the CDR3 mentioned in Table A-1B (but belonging to a different combination); or (2) a CDR1 sequence that has more than 80% sequence identity with one of the CDR1 mentioned in Table A-1B; a CDR2 sequence, and one of the CDR3 listed in Table A-1B; or (3) a CDR1 sequence; a CDR2 sequence that has more than 80% sequence identity with one of the CDR2 sequence listed in Table A-1B; and a CDR3 sequence that has 3, 2 or 1 amino acid differences with the CDR3 sequence mentioned in Table A-1B that belongs to the same combination as the CDR2 sequence.

Some particularly preferred Nanobodies of the invention may for example comprise: (1) a CDR1 sequence that has more than 80% sequence identity with one of the CDR1 mentioned in Table A-1B; a CDR2 sequence that has 3, 2 or 1 amino acid difference with the CDR2 sequence mentioned in Table A-1B that belongs to the same combination; and a CDR3 sequence that has more than 80% sequence identity with the CDR3 sequence mentioned in Table A-1B that belongs to the same combination; (2) a CDR1 sequence; a CDR 2 listed in Table A-1B and a CDR3 sequence listed in Table A-1B (in which the CDR2 sequence and CDR3 sequence may belong to different combinations).

Some even more preferred Nanobodies of the invention may for example comprise: (1) a CDR1 sequence that has more than 80% sequence identity with one of the CDR1 mentioned in Table A-1B; the CDR2 sequence listed in Table A-1B that belongs to the same combination; and a CDR3 sequence mentioned in Table A-1B that belongs to a different combination; or (2) a CDR1 sequence mentioned in Table A-1B; a CDR2 sequence that has 3, 2 or 1 amino acid differences with the CDR2 sequence mentioned in Table A-1B that belongs to the same combination; and a CDR3 sequence that has more than 80% sequence identity with the CDR3 sequence listed in Table A-1B that belongs to the same or a different combination.

Particularly preferred Nanobodies of the invention may for example comprise a CDR1 sequence mentioned in Table A-1B, a CDR2 sequence that has more than 80% sequence identity with the CDR2 sequence mentioned in Table A-1B that belongs to the same combination; and the CDR3 sequence mentioned in Table A-1B that belongs to the same combination.

In the most preferred Nanobodies of the invention, the CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 present are suitably chosen from one of the combinations of CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3, respectively, listed in Table A-1B.

According to another preferred, but non-limiting aspect of the invention (a) CDR1 has a length of between 1 and 12 amino acid residues, and usually between 2 and 9 amino acid residues, such as 5, 6 or 7 amino acid residues; and/or (b) CDR2 has a length of between 13 and 24 amino acid residues, and usually between 15 and 21 amino acid residues, such as 16 and 17 amino acid residues; and/or (c) CDR3 has a length of between 2 and 35 amino acid residues, and usually between 3 and 30 amino acid residues, such as between 6 and 23 amino acid residues.

In another preferred, but non-limiting aspect, the invention relates to a Nanobody in which the CDR sequences (as defined herein) have more than 80%, preferably more than 90%, more preferably more than 95%, such as 99% or more sequence identity (as defined herein) with the CDR sequences of at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [255-269].

Generally, Nanobodies with the above CDR sequences may be as further described herein, and preferably have framework sequences that are also as further described herein. Thus, for example and as mentioned herein, such Nanobodies may be naturally occurring Nanobodies (from any suitable species), naturally occurring VHH sequences (i.e. from a suitable species of Camelid) or synthetic or semi-synthetic single variable domains or Nanobodies, including but not limited to partially humanized Nanobodies or VHH sequences, fully humanized Nanobodies or VHH sequences, camelized heavy chain variable domain sequences, as well as Nanobodies that have been obtained by the techniques mentioned herein.

Thus, in one specific, but non-limiting aspect, the invention relates to a humanized Nanobody, which consists of 4 framework regions (FR1 to FR4 respectively) and 3 complementarity determining regions (CDR1 to CDR3 respectively), in which CDR1 to CDR3 are as defined herein and in which said humanized Nanobody comprises at least one humanizing substitution (as defined herein), and in particular at least one humanizing substitution in at least one of its framework sequences (as defined herein).

In another preferred, but non-limiting aspect, the invention relates to a Nanobody in which the CDR sequences have at least 70% amino acid identity, preferably at least 80% amino acid identity, more preferably at least 90% amino acid identity, such as 95% amino acid identity or more or even essentially 100% amino acid identity with the CDR sequences of at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [255-269]. This degree of amino acid identity can for example be determined by determining the degree of amino acid identity (in a manner described herein) between said Nanobody and one or more of the sequences of SEQ ID NO's: [255-269], in which the amino acid residues that form the framework regions are disregarded. Such Nanobodies can be as further described herein.

In another preferred, but non-limiting aspect, the invention relates to a Nanobody with an amino acid sequence that is chosen from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO's: [255-269] or from the group consisting of from single variable domains that have more than 80%, preferably more than 90%, more preferably more than 95%, such as 99% or more sequence identity (as defined herein) with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [255-269].

Another preferred, but non-limiting aspect of the invention relates to humanized variants of the Nanobodies of SEQ ID NO's: [255-269], that comprise, compared to the corresponding native V_(HH) sequence, at least one humanizing substitution (as defined herein), and in particular at least one humanizing substitution in at least one of its framework sequences (as defined herein).

The single variable domains of the invention comprise or essentially consist of at least one Nanobody of the invention. Some preferred, but non-limiting examples of single variable domains of the invention are given in SEQ ID NO's: [255-269].

It will be clear to the skilled person that the Nanobodies that are mentioned herein as “preferred” (or “more preferred”, “even more preferred”, etc.) are also preferred (or more preferred, or even more preferred, etc.) for use in the single variable domains described herein. Thus, single variable domains that comprise or essentially consist of one or more “preferred” Nanobodies of the invention will generally be preferred, and single variable domains that comprise or essentially consist of one or more “more preferred” Nanobodies of the invention will generally be more preferred, etc.

Generally, proteins or single variable domains that comprise or essentially consist of a single Nanobody (such as a single Nanobody of the invention) will be referred to herein as “monovalent” proteins or single variable domains or as “monovalent constructs”. Proteins and single variable domains that comprise or essentially consist of two or more Nanobodies (such as at least two Nanobodies of the invention or at least one Nanobody of the invention and at least one other Nanobody) will be referred to herein as “multivalent” proteins or single variable domains or as “multivalent constructs”, and these may provide certain advantages compared to the corresponding monovalent Nanobodies of the invention. Some non-limiting examples of such multivalent constructs will become clear from the further description herein.

According to one specific, but non-limiting aspect, a polypeptide of the invention comprises or essentially consists of at least two Nanobodies of the invention, such as two or three Nanobodies of the invention. As further described herein, such multivalent constructs can provide certain advantages compared to a protein or polypeptide comprising or essentially consisting of a single Nanobody of the invention, such as a much improved avidity for members for the Notch signalling pathway. Such multivalent constructs will be clear to the skilled person based on the disclosure herein.

According to another specific, but non-limiting aspect, a polypeptide of the invention comprises or essentially consists of at least one Nanobody of the invention and at least one other binding unit (i.e. directed against another epitope, antigen, target, protein or polypeptide), which is preferably also a Nanobody. Such proteins or single variable domains are also referred to herein as “multispecific” proteins or single variable domains or as ‘multispecific constructs”, and these may provide certain advantages compared to the corresponding monovalent Nanobodies of the invention (as will become clear from the further discussion herein of some preferred, but-nonlimiting multispecific constructs). Such multispecific constructs will be clear to the skilled person based on the disclosure herein.

According to yet another specific, but non-limiting aspect, a polypeptide of the invention comprises or essentially consists of at least one Nanobody of the invention, optionally one or more further Nanobodies, and at least one other amino acid sequence (such as a protein or polypeptide) that confers at least one desired property to the Nanobody of the invention and/or to the resulting fusion protein. Again, such fusion proteins may provide certain advantages compared to the corresponding monovalent Nanobodies of the invention. Some non-limiting examples of such of such fusion constructs will become clear from the further description herein.

It is also possible to combine two or more of the above aspects, for example to provide a trivalent bispecific construct comprising two Nanobodies of the invention and one other Nanobody, and optionally one or more other amino acid sequences. Further non-limiting examples of such constructs, as well as some constructs that are particularly preferred within the context of the present invention, will become clear from the further description herein.

In the above constructs, the one or more Nanobodies and/or other single variable domains may be directly linked to each other and/or suitably linked to each other via one or more linker sequences. Some suitable but non-limiting examples of such linkers will become clear from the further description herein.

In one specific aspect of the invention, a Nanobody of the invention or a compound, construct or polypeptide of the invention comprising at least one Nanobody of the invention may have an increased half-life, compared to the corresponding amino acid sequence of the invention. Some preferred, but non-limiting examples of such Nanobodies, compounds and single variable domains will become clear to the skilled person based on the further disclosure herein, and for example comprise Nanobodies sequences or single variable domains of the invention that have been chemically modified to increase the half-life thereof (for example, by means of pegylation); single variable domains of the invention that comprise at least one additional binding site for binding to a serum protein (such as serum albumin, see for example EP 0 368 684 B1, page 4); or single variable domains of the invention that comprise at least one Nanobody of the invention that is linked to at least one moiety (and in particular at least one amino acid sequence) that increases the half-life of the Nanobody of the invention. Examples of single variable domains of the invention that comprise such half-life extending moieties or single variable domains will become clear to the skilled person based on the further disclosure herein; and for example include, without limitation, single variable domains in which the one or more Nanobodies of the invention are suitable linked to one or more serum proteins or fragments thereof (such as serum albumin or suitable fragments thereof) or to one or more binding units that can bind to serum proteins (such as, for example, Nanobodies or (single) domain antibodies that can bind to serum proteins such as serum albumin, serum immunoglobulins such as IgG, or transferrin); single variable domains in which a Nanobody of the invention is linked to an Fc portion (such as a human Fc) or a suitable part or fragment thereof; or single variable domains in which the one or more Nanobodies of the invention are suitable linked to one or more small proteins or peptides that can bind to serum proteins (such as, without limitation, the proteins and peptides described in WO 91/01743, WO 01/45746, WO 02/076489 and to the US provisional application of Ablynx N.V. entitled “Peptides capable of binding to serum proteins” of Ablynx N.V. filed on Dec. 5, 2006 (see also PCT/EP/2007/063348).

Again, as will be clear to the skilled person, such Nanobodies, compounds, constructs or single variable domains may contain one or more additional groups, residues, moieties or binding units, such as one or more further in particular one or more additional Nanobodies (i.e. not directed against members for the Notch signalling pathway), so as to provide a tri- of multispecific Nanobody construct.

Generally, the Nanobodies of the invention (or compounds, constructs or single variable domains comprising the same) with increased half-life preferably have a half-life that is at least 1.5 times, preferably at least 2 times, such as at least 5 times, for example at least 10 times or more than 20 times, greater than the half-life of the corresponding amino acid sequence of the invention per se. For example, the Nanobodies, compounds, constructs or single variable domains of the invention with increased half-life may have a half-life that is increased with more than 1 hours, preferably more than 2 hours, more preferably more than 6 hours, such as more than 12 hours, or even more than 24, 48 or 72 hours, compared to the corresponding amino acid sequence of the invention per se.

In a preferred, but non-limiting aspect of the invention, such Nanobodies, compound, constructs or single variable domains of the invention exhibit a serum half-life in human of at least about 12 hours, preferably at least 24 hours, more preferably at least 48 hours, even more preferably at least 72 hours or more. For example, compounds or single variable domains of the invention may have a half-life of at least 5 days (such as about 5 to 10 days), preferably at least 9 days (such as about 9 to 14 days), more preferably at least about 10 days (such as about 10 to 15 days), or at least about 11 days (such as about 11 to 16 days), more preferably at least about 12 days (such as about 12 to 18 days or more), or more than 14 days (such as about 14 to 19 days).

In another one aspect of the invention, a polypeptide of the invention comprises one or more (such as two or preferably one) Nanobodies of the invention linked (optionally via one or more suitable linker sequences) to one or more (such as two and preferably one) single variable domains that allow the resulting polypeptide of the invention to cross the blood brain barrier. In particular, said one or more single variable domains that allow the resulting single variable domains of the invention to cross the blood brain barrier may be one or more (such as two and preferably one) Nanobodies, such as the Nanobodies described in WO 02/057445, of which FC44 (SEQ ID NO: 189 of WO 06/040153) and FC5 (SEQ ID NO: 190 of WO 06/040154) are preferred examples.

In particular, single variable domains comprising one or more Nanobodies of the invention are preferably such that they:

-   -   bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway with a         dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or         less, and preferably 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less and more         preferably 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter (i.e. with an association         constant (K_(A)) of 10⁵ to 10¹² liter/moles or more, and         preferably 10⁷ to 10¹² liter/moles or more and more preferably         10⁸ to 10¹² liter/moles);         and/or such that they:     -   bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway with a         k_(on)-rate of between 10² M⁻¹s⁻¹ to about 10⁷ M⁻¹s⁻¹,         preferably between 10³ M⁻¹s⁻¹ and 10⁷ M⁻¹s⁻¹, more preferably         between 10⁴ M⁻¹s⁻¹ and 10⁷ M⁻¹s⁻¹, such as between 10⁵ M⁻¹s⁻¹         and 10⁷ M⁻¹s⁻¹;         and/or such that they:     -   bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway with a k_(off)         rate between 1 s⁻¹ (t_(1/2)=0.69 s) and 10⁻⁶ s⁻¹ (providing a         near irreversible complex with a t_(1/2) of multiple days),         preferably between 10⁻² s⁻¹ and 10⁻⁶ s⁻¹, more preferably         between 10⁻³ s⁻¹ and 10⁻⁶ s⁻¹, such as between 10⁴ s⁻¹ and 10⁻⁶         s⁻¹.

Preferably, a polypeptide that contains only one amino acid sequence of the invention is preferably such that it will bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway with an affinity less than 500 nM, preferably less than 200 nM, more preferably less than 10 nM, such as less than 500 pM. In this respect, it will be clear to the skilled person that a polypeptide that contains two or more Nanobodies of the invention may bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway with an increased avidity, compared to a polypeptide that contains only one amino acid sequence of the invention.

Some preferred IC₅₀ values for binding of the single variable domains or single variable domains of the invention to members of the Notch signalling pathway will become clear from the further description and examples herein.

Other single variable domains according to this preferred aspect of the invention may for example be chosen from the group consisting of single variable domains that have more than 80%, preferably more than 90%, more preferably more than 95%, such as 99% or more “sequence identity” (as defined herein) with one or more of the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [255-269], in which the Nanobodies comprised within said single variable domains are preferably as further defined herein.

Another aspect of this invention relates to a nucleic acid that encodes an amino acid sequence of the invention (such as a Nanobody of the invention) or a polypeptide of the invention comprising the same. Again, as generally described herein for the nucleic acids of the invention, such a nucleic acid may be in the form of a genetic construct, as defined herein.

In another aspect, the invention relates to host or host cell that expresses or that is capable of expressing an amino acid sequence (such as a Nanobody) of the invention and/or a polypeptide of the invention comprising the same; and/or that contains a nucleic acid of the invention. Some preferred but non-limiting examples of such hosts or host cells will become clear from the further description herein.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a product or composition containing or comprising at least one amino acid sequence of the invention, at least one polypeptide of the invention and/or at least one nucleic acid of the invention, and optionally one or more further components of such compositions known per se, i.e. depending on the intended use of the composition. Such a product or composition may for example be a pharmaceutical composition (as described herein), a veterinary composition or a product or composition for diagnostic use (as also described herein). Some preferred but non-limiting examples of such products or compositions will become clear from the further description herein.

The invention further relates to methods for preparing or generating the amino acid sequences, compounds, constructs, single variable domains, nucleic acids, host cells, products and compositions described herein. Some preferred but non-limiting examples of such methods will become clear from the further description herein.

The invention further relates to applications and uses of the amino acid sequences, compounds, constructs, single variable domains, nucleic acids, host cells, products and compositions described herein, as well as to methods for the prevention and/or treatment for diseases and disorders associated with members for the Notch signalling pathway. Some preferred but non-limiting applications and uses will become clear from the further description herein.

Other aspects, embodiments, advantages and applications of the invention will also become clear from the further description hereinbelow.

Generally, it should be noted that the term Nanobody as used herein in its broadest sense is not limited to a specific biological source or to a specific method of preparation. For example, as will be discussed in more detail below, the Nanobodies of the invention can generally be obtained: (1) by isolating the V_(HH) domain of a naturally occurring heavy chain antibody; (2) by expression of a nucleotide sequence encoding a naturally occurring V_(HH) domain; (3) by “humanization” (as described herein) of a naturally occurring V_(HH) domain or by expression of a nucleic acid encoding a such humanized V_(HH) domain; (4) by “camelization” (as described herein) of a naturally occurring V_(H) domain from any animal species, and in particular a from species of mammal, such as from a human being, or by expression of a nucleic acid encoding such a camelized V_(H) domain; (5) by “camelisation” of a “domain antibody” or “Dab” as described by Ward et al (supra), or by expression of a nucleic acid encoding such a camelized V_(H) domain; (6) by using synthetic or semi-synthetic techniques for preparing proteins, single variable domains or other single variable domains known per se; (7) by preparing a nucleic acid encoding a Nanobody using techniques for nucleic acid synthesis known per se, followed by expression of the nucleic acid thus obtained; and/or (8) by any combination of one or more of the foregoing. Suitable methods and techniques for performing the foregoing will be clear to the skilled person based on the disclosure herein and for example include the methods and techniques described in more detail herein.

One preferred class of Nanobodies corresponds to the V_(HH) domains of naturally occurring heavy chain antibodies directed against members for the Notch signalling pathway. As further described herein, such VHH sequences can generally be generated or obtained by suitably immunizing a species of Camelid with members of the Notch signalling pathway (i.e. so as to raise an immune response and/or heavy chain antibodies directed against members for the Notch signalling pathway), by obtaining a suitable biological sample from said Camelid (such as a blood sample, serum sample or sample of B-cells), and by generating VHH sequences directed against members for the Notch signalling pathway, starting from said sample, using any suitable technique known per se. Such techniques will be clear to the skilled person and/or are further described herein.

Alternatively, such naturally occurring V_(HH) domains against members for the Notch signalling pathway, can be obtained from naïve libraries of Camelid VHH sequences, for example by screening such a library using members for the Notch signalling pathway, or at least one part, fragment, antigenic determinant or epitope thereof using one or more screening techniques known per se. Such libraries and techniques are for example described in WO 99/37681, WO 01/90190, WO 03/025020 and WO 03/035694. Alternatively, improved synthetic or semi-synthetic libraries derived from naïve V_(HH) libraries may be used, such as V_(HH) libraries obtained from naïve V_(HH) libraries by techniques such as random mutagenesis and/or CDR shuffling, as for example described in WO 00/43507.

Thus, in another aspect, the invention relates to a method for generating Nanobodies, that are directed against members for the Notch signalling pathway. In one aspect, said method at least comprises the steps of:

-   a) providing a set, collection or library of Nanobody sequences; and -   b) screening said set, collection or library of Nanobody sequences     for Nanobody sequences that can bind to and/or have affinity for     members for the Notch signalling pathway;     and -   c) isolating the amino acid sequence(s) that can bind to and/or have     affinity for members for the Notch signalling pathway.

In such a method, the set, collection or library of Nanobody sequences may be a naïve set, collection or library of Nanobody sequences; a synthetic or semi-synthetic set, collection or library of Nanobody sequences; and/or a set, collection or library of Nanobody sequences that have been subjected to affinity maturation.

In a preferred aspect of this method, the set, collection or library of Nanobody sequences may be an immune set, collection or library of Nanobody sequences, and in particular an immune set, collection or library of VHH sequences, that have been derived from a species of Camelid that has been suitably immunized with members of the Notch signalling pathway or with a suitable antigenic determinant based thereon or derived therefrom, such as an antigenic part, fragment, region, domain, loop or other epitope thereof. In one particular aspect, said antigenic determinant may be an extracellular part, region, domain, loop or other extracellular epitope(s).

In the above methods, the set, collection or library of Nanobody or VHH sequences may be displayed on a phage, phagemid, ribosome or suitable micro-organism (such as yeast), such as to facilitate screening. Suitable methods, techniques and host organisms for displaying and screening (a set, collection or library of) Nanobody sequences will be clear to the person skilled in the art, for example on the basis of the further disclosure herein. Reference is also made to WO 03/054016 and to the review by Hoogenboom in Nature Biotechnology, 23, 9, 1105-1116 (2005).

In another aspect, the method for generating Nanobody sequences comprises at least the steps of:

-   a) providing a collection or sample of cells derived from a species     of Camelid that express immunoglobulin sequences; -   b) screening said collection or sample of cells for (i) cells that     express an immunoglobulin sequence that can bind to and/or have     affinity for members for the Notch signalling pathway; and (ii)     cells that express heavy chain antibodies, in which substeps (i)     and (ii) can be performed essentially as a single screening step or     in any suitable order as two separate screening steps, so as to     provide at least one cell that expresses a heavy chain antibody that     can bind to and/or has affinity for members for the Notch signalling     pathway;     and -   c) either (i) isolating from said cell the V_(HH) sequence present     in said heavy chain antibody; or (ii) isolating from said cell a     nucleic acid sequence that encodes the V_(HH) sequence present in     said heavy chain antibody, followed by expressing said V_(HH)     domain.

In the method according to this aspect, the collection or sample of cells may for example be a collection or sample of B-cells. Also, in this method, the sample of cells may be derived from a Camelid that has been suitably immunized with members of the Notch signalling pathway or a suitable antigenic determinant based thereon or derived therefrom, such as an antigenic part, fragment, region, domain, loop or other epitope thereof. In one particular aspect, said antigenic determinant may be an extracellular part, region, domain, loop or other extracellular epitope(s).

The above method may be performed in any suitable manner, as will be clear to the skilled person. Reference is for example made to EP 0 542 810, WO 05/19824, WO 04/051268 and WO 04/106377. The screening of step b) is preferably performed using a flow cytometry technique such as FACS. For this, reference is for example made to Lieby et al., Blood, Vol. 97, No. 12, 3820. Particular reference is made to the so-called “Nanoclone™” technique described in International application WO 06/079372 by Ablynx N.V.

In another aspect, the method for generating an amino acid sequence directed against members of the Notch signalling pathway may comprise at least the steps of:

-   a) providing a set, collection or library of nucleic acid sequences     encoding heavy chain antibodies or Nanobody sequences; -   b) screening said set, collection or library of nucleic acid     sequences for nucleic acid sequences that encode a heavy chain     antibody or a Nanobody sequence that can bind to and/or has affinity     for members for the Notch signalling pathway;     and -   c) isolating said nucleic acid sequence, followed by expressing the     V_(HH) sequence present in said heavy chain antibody or by     expressing said Nanobody sequence, respectively.

In such a method, the set, collection or library of nucleic acid sequences encoding heavy chain antibodies or Nanobody sequences may for example be a set, collection or library of nucleic acid sequences encoding a naïve set, collection or library of heavy chain antibodies or VHH sequences; a set, collection or library of nucleic acid sequences encoding a synthetic or semi-synthetic set, collection or library of Nanobody sequences; and/or a set, collection or library of nucleic acid sequences encoding a set, collection or library of Nanobody sequences that have been subjected to affinity maturation.

In a preferred aspect of this method, the set, collection or library of single variable domains may be an immune set, collection or library of nucleic acid sequences encoding heavy chain antibodies or VHH sequences derived from a Camelid that has been suitably immunized with members of the Notch signalling pathway or with a suitable antigenic determinant based thereon or derived therefrom, such as an antigenic part, fragment, region, domain, loop or other epitope thereof. In one particular aspect, said antigenic determinant may be an extracellular part, region, domain, loop or other extracellular epitope(s).

In the above methods, the set, collection or library of nucleotide sequences may be displayed on a phage, phagemid, ribosome or suitable micro-organism (such as yeast), such as to facilitate screening. Suitable methods, techniques and host organisms for displaying and screening (a set, collection or library of) nucleotide sequences encoding single variable domains will be clear to the person skilled in the art, for example on the basis of the further disclosure herein. Reference is also made to WO 03/054016 and to the review by Hoogenboom in Nature Biotechnology, 23, 9, 1105-1116 (2005).

As will be clear to the skilled person, the screening step of the methods described herein can also be performed as a selection step. Accordingly the term “screening” as used in the present description can comprise selection, screening or any suitable combination of selection and/or screening techniques. Also, when a set, collection or library of sequences is used, it may contain any suitable number of sequences, such as 1, 2, 3 or about 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10⁴, 10⁵, 10⁶, 10⁷, 10⁸ or more sequences.

Also, one or more or all of the sequences in the above set, collection or library of single variable domains may be obtained or defined by rational, or semi-empirical approaches such as computer modelling techniques or biostatics or datamining techniques.

Furthermore, such a set, collection or library can comprise one, two or more sequences that are variants from one another (e.g. with designed point mutations or with randomized positions), compromise multiple sequences derived from a diverse set of naturally diversified sequences (e.g. an immune library)), or any other source of diverse sequences (as described for example in Hoogenboom et al, Nat Biotechnol 23:1105, 2005 and Binz et al, Nat Biotechnol 2005, 23:1247). Such set, collection or library of sequences can be displayed on the surface of a phage particle, a ribosome, a bacterium, a yeast cell, a mammalian cell, and linked to the nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence within these carriers. This makes such set, collection or library amenable to selection procedures to isolate the desired single variable domains of the invention. More generally, when a sequence is displayed on a suitable host or host cell, it is also possible (and customary) to first isolate from said host or host cell a nucleotide sequence that encodes the desired sequence, and then to obtain the desired sequence by suitably expressing said nucleotide sequence in a suitable host organism. Again, this can be performed in any suitable manner known per se, as will be clear to the skilled person.

Yet another technique for obtaining VHH sequences or Nanobody sequences directed against members of the Notch signalling pathway involves suitably immunizing a transgenic mammal that is capable of expressing heavy chain antibodies (i.e. so as to raise an immune response and/or heavy chain antibodies directed against members for the Notch signalling pathway), obtaining a suitable biological sample from said transgenic mammal that contains (nucleic acid sequences encoding) said VHH sequences or Nanobody sequences (such as a blood sample, serum sample or sample of B-cells), and then generating VHH sequences directed against members for the Notch signalling pathway, starting from said sample, using any suitable technique known per se (such as any of the methods described herein or a hybridoma technique). For example, for this purpose, the heavy chain antibody-expressing mice and the further methods and techniques described in WO 02/085945, WO 04/049794 and WO 06/008548 and Janssens et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 2006 Oct. 10; 103(41):15130-5 can be used. For example, such heavy chain antibody expressing mice can express heavy chain antibodies with any suitable (single) variable domain, such as (single) variable domains from natural sources (e.g. human (single) variable domains, Camelid (single) variable domains or shark (single) variable domains), as well as for example synthetic or semi-synthetic (single) variable domains.

The invention also relates to the VHH sequences or Nanobody sequences that are obtained by the above methods, or alternatively by a method that comprises the one of the above methods and in addition at least the steps of determining the nucleotide sequence or amino acid sequence of said V_(HH) sequence or Nanobody sequence; and of expressing or synthesizing said V_(HH) sequence or Nanobody sequence in a manner known per se, such as by expression in a suitable host cell or host organism or by chemical synthesis.

As mentioned herein, a particularly preferred class of Nanobodies of the invention comprises Nanobodies with an amino acid sequence that corresponds to the amino acid sequence of a naturally occurring V_(HH) domain, but that has been “humanized”, i.e. by replacing one or more amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of said naturally occurring V_(HH) sequence (and in particular in the framework sequences) by one or more of the amino acid residues that occur at the corresponding position(s) in a V_(H) domain from a conventional 4-chain antibody from a human being (e.g. indicated above). This can be performed in a manner known per se, which will be clear to the skilled person, for example on the basis of the further description herein and the prior art on humanization referred to herein. Again, it should be noted that such humanized Nanobodies of the invention can be obtained in any suitable manner known per se (i.e. as indicated under points (1)-(8) above) and thus are not strictly limited to single variable domains that have been obtained using a polypeptide that comprises a naturally occurring V_(HH) domain as a starting material.

Another particularly preferred class of Nanobodies of the invention comprises Nanobodies with an amino acid sequence that corresponds to the amino acid sequence of a naturally occurring V_(H) domain, but that has been “camelized”, i.e. by replacing one or more amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of a naturally occurring V_(H) domain from a conventional 4-chain antibody by one or more of the amino acid residues that occur at the corresponding position(s) in a V_(HH) domain of a heavy chain antibody. This can be performed in a manner known per se, which will be clear to the skilled person, for example on the basis of the further description herein. Such “camelizing” substitutions are preferably inserted at amino acid positions that form and/or are present at the V_(H)-V_(L) interface, and/or at the so-called Camelidae hallmark residues, as defined herein (see for example WO 94/04678 and Davies and Riechmann (1994 and 1996), supra). Preferably, the V_(H) sequence that is used as a starting material or starting point for generating or designing the camelized Nanobody is preferably a V_(H) sequence from a mammal, more preferably the V_(H) sequence of a human being, such as a V_(H)3 sequence. However, it should be noted that such camelized Nanobodies of the invention can be obtained in any suitable manner known per se (i.e. as indicated under points (1)-(8) above) and thus are not strictly limited to single variable domains that have been obtained using a polypeptide that comprises a naturally occurring V_(H) domain as a starting material.

For example, again as further described herein, both “humanization” and “camelization” can be performed by providing a nucleotide sequence that encodes a naturally occurring V_(HH) domain or V_(H) domain, respectively, and then changing, in a manner known per se, one or more codons in said nucleotide sequence in such a way that the new nucleotide sequence encodes a “humanized” or “camelized” Nanobody of the invention, respectively. This nucleic acid can then be expressed in a manner known per se, so as to provide the desired Nanobody of the invention. Alternatively, based on the amino acid sequence of a naturally occurring V_(HH) domain or V_(H) domain, respectively, the amino acid sequence of the desired humanized or camelized Nanobody of the invention, respectively, can be designed and then synthesized de novo using techniques for peptide synthesis known per se. Also, based on the amino acid sequence or nucleotide sequence of a naturally occurring V_(HH) domain or V_(H) domain, respectively, a nucleotide sequence encoding the desired humanized or camelized Nanobody of the invention, respectively, can be designed and then synthesized de novo using techniques for nucleic acid synthesis known per se, after which the nucleic acid thus obtained can be expressed in a manner known per se, so as to provide the desired Nanobody of the invention.

Other suitable methods and techniques for obtaining the Nanobodies of the invention and/or nucleic acids encoding the same, starting from naturally occurring V_(H) sequences or preferably VHH sequences, will be clear from the skilled person, and may for example comprise combining one or more parts of one or more naturally occurring V_(H) sequences (such as one or more FR sequences and/or CDR sequences), one or more parts of one or more naturally occurring VHH sequences (such as one or more FR sequences or CDR sequences), and/or one or more synthetic or semi-synthetic sequences, in a suitable manner, so as to provide a Nanobody of the invention or a nucleotide sequence or nucleic acid encoding the same (which may then be suitably expressed). Nucleotide sequences encoding framework sequences of VHH sequences or Nanobodies will be clear to the skilled person based on the disclosure herein and/or the further prior art cited herein (and/or may alternatively be obtained by PCR starting from the nucleotide sequences obtained using the methods described herein) and may be suitably combined with nucleotide sequences that encode the desired CDR's (for example, by PCR assembly using overlapping primers), so as to provide a nucleic acid encoding a Nanobody of the invention.

As mentioned herein, Nanobodies may in particular be characterized by the presence of one or more “Hallmark residues” (as described herein) in one or more of the framework sequences.

Thus, according to one preferred, but non-limiting aspect of the invention, a Nanobody in its broadest sense can be generally defined as a polypeptide comprising:

-   a) an amino acid sequence that is comprised of four framework     regions/sequences interrupted by three complementarity determining     regions/sequences, in which the amino acid residue at position 108     according to the Kabat numbering is Q;     and/or: -   b) an amino acid sequence that is comprised of four framework     regions/sequences interrupted by three complementarity determining     regions/sequences, in which the amino acid residue at position 45     according to the Kabat numbering is a charged amino acid (as defined     herein) or a cysteine residue, and position 44 is preferably an E;     and/or: -   c) an amino acid sequence that is comprised of four framework     regions/sequences interrupted by three complementarity determining     regions/sequences, in which the amino acid residue at position 103     according to the Kabat numbering is chosen from the group consisting     of P, R and S, and is in particular chosen from the group consisting     of R and S.

Thus, in a first preferred, but non-limiting aspect, a Nanobody of the invention may have the structure

-   -   FR1-CDR1-FR2-CDR2-FR3-CDR3-FR4         in which FR1 to FR4 refer to framework regions 1 to 4,         respectively, and in which CDR1 to CDR3 refer to the         complementarity determining regions 1 to 3, respectively, and in         which

-   a) the amino acid residue at position 108 according to the Kabat     numbering is Q; and/or in which:

-   b) the amino acid residue at position 45 according to the Kabat     numbering is a charged amino acid or a cysteine and the amino acid     residue at position 44 according to the Kabat numbering is     preferably E;     and/or in which:

-   c) the amino acid residue at position 103 according to the Kabat     numbering is chosen from the group consisting of P, R and S, and is     in particular chosen from the group consisting of R and S;     and in which:

-   d) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 are as defined herein, and are preferably as     defined according to one of the preferred aspects herein, and are     more preferably as defined according to one of the more preferred     aspects herein.

In particular, a Nanobody in its broadest sense can be generally defined as a polypeptide comprising:

-   a) an amino acid sequence that is comprised of four framework     regions/sequences interrupted by three complementarity determining     regions/sequences, in which the amino acid residue at position 108     according to the Kabat numbering is Q;     and/or: -   b) an amino acid sequence that is comprised of four framework     regions/sequences interrupted by three complementarity determining     regions/sequences, in which the amino acid residue at position 44     according to the Kabat numbering is E and in which the amino acid     residue at position 45 according to the Kabat numbering is an R;     and/or: -   c) an amino acid sequence that is comprised of four framework     regions/sequences interrupted by three complementarity determining     regions/sequences, in which the amino acid residue at position 103     according to the Kabat numbering is chosen from the group consisting     of P, R and S, and is in particular chosen from the group consisting     of R and S.

Thus, according to a preferred, but non-limiting aspect, a Nanobody of the invention may have the structure

-   -   FR1-CDR1-FR2-CDR2-FR3-CDR3-FR4         in which FR1 to FR4 refer to framework regions 1 to 4,         respectively, and in which CDR1 to CDR3 refer to the         complementarity determining regions 1 to 3, respectively, and in         which

-   a) the amino acid residue at position 108 according to the Kabat     numbering is Q;     and/or in which:

-   b) the amino acid residue at position 44 according to the Kabat     numbering is E and in which the amino acid residue at position 45     according to the Kabat numbering is an R;     and/or in which:

-   c) the amino acid residue at position 103 according to the Kabat     numbering is chosen from the group consisting of P, R and S, and is     in particular chosen from the group consisting of R and S;     and in which:

-   d) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 are as defined herein, and are preferably as     defined according to one of the preferred aspects herein, and are     more preferably as defined according to one of the more preferred     aspects herein.

In particular, a Nanobody against members of the Notch signalling pathway according to the invention may have the structure:

-   -   FR1-CDR1-FR2-CDR2-FR3-CDR3-FR4         in which FR1 to FR4 refer to framework regions 1 to 4,         respectively, and in which CDR1 to CDR3 refer to the         complementarity determining regions 1 to 3, respectively, and in         which

-   a) the amino acid residue at position 108 according to the Kabat     numbering is Q;     and/or in which:

-   b) the amino acid residue at position 44 according to the Kabat     numbering is E and in which the amino acid residue at position 45     according to the Kabat numbering is an R;     and/or in which:

-   c) the amino acid residue at position 103 according to the Kabat     numbering is chosen from the group consisting of P, R and S, and is     in particular chosen from the group consisting of R and S;     and in which:

-   d) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 are as defined herein, and are preferably as     defined according to one of the preferred aspects herein, and are     more preferably as defined according to one of the more preferred     aspects herein.

In particular, according to one preferred, but non-limiting aspect of the invention, a Nanobody can generally be defined as a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence that is comprised of four framework regions/sequences interrupted by three complementarity determining regions/sequences, in which;

-   a-1) the amino acid residue at position 44 according to the Kabat     numbering is chosen from the group consisting of A, G, E, D, G, Q,     R, S, L; and is preferably chosen from the group consisting of G, E     or Q; and -   a-2) the amino acid residue at position 45 according to the Kabat     numbering is chosen from the group consisting of L, R or C; and is     preferably chosen from the group consisting of L or R; and -   a-3) the amino acid residue at position 103 according to the Kabat     numbering is chosen from the group consisting of W, R or S; and is     preferably W or R, and is most preferably W; -   a-4) the amino acid residue at position 108 according to the Kabat     numbering is Q; or in which: -   b-1) the amino acid residue at position 44 according to the Kabat     numbering is chosen from the group consisting of E and Q; and -   b-2) the amino acid residue at position 45 according to the Kabat     numbering is R; and -   b-3) the amino acid residue at position 103 according to the Kabat     numbering is chosen from the group consisting of W, R and S; and is     preferably W; -   b-4) the amino acid residue at position 108 according to the Kabat     numbering is chosen from the group consisting of Q and L; and is     preferably Q;     or in which: -   c-1) the amino acid residue at position 44 according to the Kabat     numbering is chosen from the group consisting of A, G, E, D, Q, R, S     and L; and is preferably chosen from the group consisting of G, E     and Q; and -   c-2) the amino acid residue at position 45 according to the Kabat     numbering is chosen from the group consisting of L, R and C; and is     preferably chosen from the group consisting of L and R; and -   c-3) the amino acid residue at position 103 according to the Kabat     numbering is chosen from the group consisting of P, R and S; and is     in particular chosen from the group consisting of R and S; and -   c-4) the amino acid residue at position 108 according to the Kabat     numbering is chosen from the group consisting of Q and L; is     preferably Q;     and in which -   d) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 are as defined herein, and are preferably as     defined according to one of the preferred aspects herein, and are     more preferably as defined according to one of the more preferred     aspects herein.

Thus, in another preferred, but non-limiting aspect, a Nanobody of the invention may have the structure

-   -   FR1-CDR1-FR2-CDR2-FR3-CDR3-FR4         in which FR1 to FR4 refer to framework regions 1 to 4,         respectively, and in which CDR1 to CDR3 refer to the         complementarity determining regions 1 to 3, respectively, and in         which:

-   a-1) the amino acid residue at position 44 according to the Kabat     numbering is chosen from the group consisting of A, G, E, D, G, Q,     R, S, L; and is preferably chosen from the group consisting of G, E     or Q;     and in which:

-   a-2) the amino acid residue at position 45 according to the Kabat     numbering is chosen from the group consisting of L, R or C; and is     preferably chosen from the group consisting of L or R;     and in which:

-   a-3) the amino acid residue at position 103 according to the Kabat     numbering is chosen from the group consisting of W, R or S; and is     preferably W or R, and is most preferably W;     and in which

-   a-4) the amino acid residue at position 108 according to the Kabat     numbering is Q; and in which:

-   d) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 are as defined herein, and are preferably as     defined according to one of the preferred aspects herein, and are     more preferably as defined according to one of the more preferred     aspects herein.

In another preferred, but non-limiting aspect, a Nanobody of the invention may have the structure

-   -   FR1-CDR1-FR2-CDR2-FR3-CDR3-FR4         in which FR1 to FR4 refer to framework regions 1 to 4,         respectively, and in which CDR1 to CDR3 refer to the         complementarity determining regions 1 to 3, respectively, and in         which:

-   b-1) the amino acid residue at position 44 according to the Kabat     numbering is chosen from the group consisting of E and Q;     and in which:

-   b-2) the amino acid residue at position 45 according to the Kabat     numbering is R;     and in which:

-   b-3) the amino acid residue at position 103 according to the Kabat     numbering is chosen from the group consisting of W, R and S; and is     preferably W;     and in which:

-   b-4) the amino acid residue at position 108 according to the Kabat     numbering is chosen from the group consisting of Q and L; and is     preferably Q;     and in which:

-   d) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 are as defined herein, and are preferably as     defined according to one of the preferred aspects herein, and are     more preferably as defined according to one of the more preferred     aspects herein.

In another preferred, but non-limiting aspect, a Nanobody of the invention may have the structure

-   -   FR1-CDR1-FR2-CDR2-FR3-CDR3-FR4         in which FR1 to FR4 refer to framework regions 1 to 4,         respectively, and in which CDR1 to CDR3 refer to the         complementarity determining regions 1 to 3, respectively, and in         which:

-   c-1) the amino acid residue at position 44 according to the Kabat     numbering is chosen from the group consisting of A, G, E, D, Q, R, S     and L; and is preferably chosen from the group consisting of G, E     and Q;     and in which:

-   c-2) the amino acid residue at position 45 according to the Kabat     numbering is chosen from the group consisting of L, R and C; and is     preferably chosen from the group consisting of L and R;     and in which:

-   c-3) the amino acid residue at position 103 according to the Kabat     numbering is chosen from the group consisting of P, R and S; and is     in particular chosen from the group consisting of R and S;     and in which:

-   c-4) the amino acid residue at position 108 according to the Kabat     numbering is chosen from the group consisting of Q and L; is     preferably Q;     and in which:

-   d) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 are as defined herein, and are preferably as     defined according to one of the preferred aspects herein, and are     more preferably as defined according to one of the more preferred     aspects herein.

Two particularly preferred, but non-limiting groups of the Nanobodies of the invention are those according to a) above; according to (a-1) to (a-4) above; according to b) above; according to (b-1) to (b-4) above; according to (c) above; and/or according to (c-1) to (c-4) above, in which either:

-   i) the amino acid residues at positions 44-47 according to the Kabat     numbering form the sequence GLEW (or a GLEW-like sequence as     described herein) and the amino acid residue at position 108 is Q;     or in which: -   ii) the amino acid residues at positions 43-46 according to the     Kabat numbering form the sequence KERE or KQRE (or a KERE-like     sequence as described) and the amino acid residue at position 108 is     Q or L, and is preferably Q.

Thus, in another preferred, but non-limiting aspect, a Nanobody of the invention may have the structure

-   -   FR1-CDR1-FR2-CDR2-FR3-CDR3-FR4         in which FR1 to FR4 refer to framework regions 1 to 4,         respectively, and in which CDR1 to CDR3 refer to the         complementarity determining regions 1 to 3, respectively, and in         which:

-   i) the amino acid residues at positions 44-47 according to the Kabat     numbering form the sequence GLEW (or a GLEW-like sequence as defined     herein) and the amino acid residue at position 108 is Q;     and in which:

-   ii) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 are as defined herein, and are preferably as     defined according to one of the preferred aspects herein, and are     more preferably as defined according to one of the more preferred     aspects herein.

In another preferred, but non-limiting aspect, a Nanobody of the invention may have the structure

-   -   FR1-CDR1-FR2-CDR2-FR3-CDR3-FR4         in which FR1 to FR4 refer to framework regions 1 to 4,         respectively, and in which CDR1 to CDR3 refer to the         complementarity determining regions 1 to 3, respectively, and in         which:

-   i) the amino acid residues at positions 43-46 according to the Kabat     numbering form the sequence KERE or KQRE (or a KERE-like sequence)     and the amino acid residue at position 108 is Q or L, and is     preferably Q;     and in which:

-   ii) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 are as defined herein, and are preferably as     defined according to one of the preferred aspects herein, and are     more preferably as defined according to one of the more preferred     aspects herein.

In the Nanobodies of the invention in which the amino acid residues at positions 43-46 according to the Kabat numbering form the sequence KERE or KQRE, the amino acid residue at position 37 is most preferably F. In the Nanobodies of the invention in which the amino acid residues at positions 44-47 according to the Kabat numbering form the sequence GLEW, the amino acid residue at position 37 is chosen from the group consisting of Y, H, I, L, V or F, and is most preferably V.

Thus, without being limited hereto in any way, on the basis of the amino acid residues present on the positions mentioned above, the Nanobodies of the invention can generally be classified on the basis of the following three groups:

-   i) The “GLEW-group”: Nanobodies with the amino acid sequence GLEW at     positions 44-47 according to the Kabat numbering and Q at position     108 according to the Kabat numbering. As further described herein,     Nanobodies within this group usually have a V at position 37, and     can have a W, P, R or S at position 103, and preferably have a W at     position 103. The GLEW group also comprises some GLEW-like sequences     such as those mentioned in Table A-3 below. More generally, and     without limitation, Nanobodies belonging to the GLEW-group can be     defined as Nanobodies with a G at position 44 and/or with a W at     position 47, in which position 46 is usually E and in which     preferably position 45 is not a charged amino acid residue and not     cysteine; -   ii) The “KERE-group”: Nanobodies with the amino acid sequence KERE     or KQRE (or another KERE-like sequence) at positions 43-46 according     to the Kabat numbering and Q or L at position 108 according to the     Kabat numbering. As further described herein, Nanobodies within this     group usually have a F at position 37, an L or F at position 47; and     can have a W, P, R or S at position 103, and preferably have a W at     position 103. More generally, and without limitation, Nanobodies     belonging to the KERE-group can be defined as Nanobodies with a K, Q     or R at position 44 (usually K) in which position 45 is a charged     amino acid residue or cysteine, and position 47 is as further     defined herein; -   iii) The “103 P, R, S-group”: Nanobodies with a P, R or S at     position 103. These Nanobodies can have either the amino acid     sequence GLEW at positions 44-47 according to the Kabat numbering or     the amino acid sequence KERE or KQRE at positions 43-46 according to     the Kabat numbering, the latter most preferably in combination with     an F at position 37 and an L or an F at position 47 (as defined for     the KERE-group); and can have Q or L at position 108 according to     the Kabat numbering, and preferably have Q.

Also, where appropriate, Nanobodies may belong to (i.e. have characteristics of) two or more of these classes. For example, one specifically preferred group of Nanobodies has GLEW or a GLEW-like sequence at positions 44-47; P, R or S (and in particular R) at position 103; and Q at position 108 (which may be humanized to L).

More generally, it should be noted that the definitions referred to above describe and apply to Nanobodies in the form of a native (i.e. non-humanized) V_(HH) sequence, and that humanized variants of these Nanobodies may contain other amino acid residues than those indicated above (i.e. one or more humanizing substitutions as defined herein). For example, and without limitation, in some humanized Nanobodies of the GLEW-group or the 103 P, R, S-group, Q at position 108 may be humanized to 108L. As already mentioned herein, other humanizing substitutions (and suitable combinations thereof) will become clear to the skilled person based on the disclosure herein. In addition, or alternatively, other potentially useful humanizing substitutions can be ascertained by comparing the sequence of the framework regions of a naturally occurring V_(HH) sequence with the corresponding framework sequence of one or more closely related human V_(H) sequences, after which one or more of the potentially useful humanizing substitutions (or combinations thereof) thus determined can be introduced into said V_(HH) sequence (in any manner known per se, as further described herein) and the resulting humanized V_(HH) sequences can be tested for affinity for the target, for stability, for ease and level of expression, and/or for other desired properties. In this way, by means of a limited degree of trial and error, other suitable humanizing substitutions (or suitable combinations thereof) can be determined by the skilled person based on the disclosure herein. Also, based on the foregoing, (the framework regions of) a Nanobody may be partially humanized or fully humanized.

Thus, in another preferred, but non-limiting aspect, a Nanobody of the invention may be a Nanobody belonging to the GLEW-group (as defined herein), and in which CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 are as defined herein, and are preferably as defined according to one of the preferred aspects herein, and are more preferably as defined according to one of the more preferred aspects herein.

In another preferred, but non-limiting aspect, a Nanobody of the invention may be a Nanobody belonging to the KERE-group (as defined herein), and CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 are as defined herein, and are preferably as defined according to one of the preferred aspects herein, and are more preferably as defined according to one of the more preferred aspects herein.

Thus, in another preferred, but non-limiting aspect, a Nanobody of the invention may be a Nanobody belonging to the 103 P, R, S-group (as defined herein), and in which CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 are as defined herein, and are preferably as defined according to one of the preferred aspects herein, and are more preferably as defined according to one of the more preferred aspects herein.

Also, more generally and in addition to the 108Q, 43E/44R and 103 P,R,S residues mentioned above, the Nanobodies of the invention can contain, at one or more positions that in a conventional V_(H) domain would form (part of) the V_(H)/V_(L) interface, one or more amino acid residues that are more highly charged than the amino acid residues that naturally occur at the same position(s) in the corresponding naturally occurring V_(H) sequence, and in particular one or more charged amino acid residues (as mentioned in Table A-2). Such substitutions include, but are not limited to, the GLEW-like sequences mentioned in Table A-3 below; as well as the substitutions that are described in the International Application WO 00/29004 for so-called “microbodies”, e.g. so as to obtain a Nanobody with Q at position 108 in combination with KLEW at positions 44-47. Other possible substitutions at these positions will be clear to the skilled person based upon the disclosure herein.

In one aspect of the Nanobodies of the invention, the amino acid residue at position 83 is chosen from the group consisting of L, M, S, V and W; and is preferably L.

Also, in one aspect of the Nanobodies of the invention, the amino acid residue at position 83 is chosen from the group consisting of R, K, N, E, G, I, T and Q; and is most preferably either K or E (for Nanobodies corresponding to naturally occurring V_(HH) domains) or R (for “humanized” Nanobodies, as described herein). The amino acid residue at position 84 is chosen from the group consisting of P, A, R, S, D T, and V in one aspect, and is most preferably P (for Nanobodies corresponding to naturally occurring V_(HH) domains) or R (for “humanized” Nanobodies, as described herein).

Furthermore, in one aspect of the Nanobodies of the invention, the amino acid residue at position 104 is chosen from the group consisting of G and D; and is most preferably G.

Collectively, the amino acid residues at positions 11, 37, 44, 45, 47, 83, 84, 103, 104 and 108, which in the Nanobodies are as mentioned above, will also be referred to herein as the “Hallmark Residues”. The Hallmark Residues and the amino acid residues at the corresponding positions of the most closely related human V_(H) domain, V_(H)3, are summarized in Table A-3.

Some especially preferred but non-limiting combinations of these Hallmark Residues as occur in naturally occurring V_(HH) domains are mentioned in Table A-4. For comparison, the corresponding amino acid residues of the human V_(H)3 called DP-47 have been indicated in italics.

TABLE A-3 Hallmark Residues in Nanobodies Position Human V_(H)3 Hallmark Residues 11 L, V; L, M, S, V, W; preferably L predominantly L 37 V, I, F; usually V F⁽¹⁾, Y, H, I, L or V, preferably F⁽¹⁾ or Y  44⁽⁸⁾ G G⁽²⁾, E⁽³⁾, A, D, Q, R, S, L; preferably G⁽²⁾, E⁽³⁾ or Q; most preferably G⁽²⁾ or E⁽³⁾.  45⁽⁸⁾ L L⁽²⁾, R⁽³⁾, C, I, L, P, Q, V; preferably L⁽²⁾ or R⁽³⁾  47⁽⁸⁾ W, Y W⁽²⁾, L⁽¹⁾ or F⁽¹⁾, A, G, I, M, R, S, V or Y; preferably W⁽²⁾, L⁽¹⁾, F⁽¹⁾ or R 83 R or K; usually R R, K⁽⁵⁾, N, E⁽⁵⁾, G, I, M, Q or T; preferably K or R; most preferably K 84 A, T, D; P⁽⁵⁾, A, L, R, S, T, D, V; preferably P predominantly A 103  W W⁽⁴⁾, P⁽⁶⁾, R⁽⁶⁾, S; preferably W 104  G G or D; preferably G 108  L, M or T; Q, L⁽⁷⁾ or R; preferably Q or L⁽⁷⁾ predominantly L Notes: ⁽¹⁾In particular, but not exclusively, in combination with KERE or KQRE at positions 43-46. ⁽²⁾Usually as GLEW at positions 44-47. ⁽³⁾Usually as KERE or KQRE at positions 43-46, e.g. as KEREL, KEREF, KQREL, KQREF or KEREG at positions 43-47. Alternatively, also sequences such as TERE (for example TEREL), KECE (for example KECEL or KECER), RERE (for example REREG), QERE (for example QEREG), KGRE (for example KGREG), KDRE (for example KDREV) are possible. Some other possible, but less preferred sequences include for example DECKL and NVCEL. ⁽⁴⁾With both GLEW at positions 44-47 and KERE or KQRE at positions 43-46. ⁽⁵⁾Often as KP or EP at positions 83-84 of naturally occurring V_(HH) domains. ⁽⁶⁾In particular, but not exclusively, in combination with GLEW at positions 44-47. ⁽⁷⁾With the proviso that when positions 44-47 are GLEW, position 108 is always Q in (non-humanized) V_(HH) sequences that also contain a W at position 103. The GLEW group also contains GLEW-like sequences at positions 44-47, such as for example GVEW, EPEW, GLER, DQEW, DLEW, GIEW, ELEW, GPEW, EWLP, GPER, GLER and ELEW.

TABLE A-4 Some preferred but non-limiting combinations of Hallmark Residues in naturally occurring Nanobodies. For humanization of these combinations, reference is made to the specification. 11 37 44 45 47 83 84 103 104 108 DP-47 (human) M V G L W R A W G L “KERE” group L F E R L K P W G Q L F E R F E P W G Q L F E R F K P W G Q L Y Q R L K P W G Q L F L R V K P Q G Q L F Q R L K P W G Q L F E R F K P W G Q “GLEW” group L V G L W K S W G Q M V G L W K P R G Q

In the Nanobodies, each amino acid residue at any other position than the Hallmark Residues can be any amino acid residue that naturally occurs at the corresponding position (according to the Kabat numbering) of a naturally occurring V_(HH) domain.

Such amino acid residues will be clear to the skilled person. Tables A-5 to A-8 mention some non-limiting residues that can be present at each position (according to the Kabat numbering) of the FR1, FR2, FR3 and FR4 of naturally occurring V_(HH) domains. For each position, the amino acid residue that most frequently occurs at each position of a naturally occurring V_(HH) domain (and which is the most preferred amino acid residue for said position in a Nanobody) is indicated in bold; and other preferred amino acid residues for each position have been underlined (note: the number of amino acid residues that are found at positions 26-30 of naturally occurring V_(HH) domains supports the hypothesis underlying the numbering by Chothia (supra) that the residues at these positions already form part of CDR1.)

In Tables A-5-A-8, some of the non-limiting residues that can be present at each position of a human V_(H)3 domain have also been mentioned. Again, for each position, the amino acid residue that most frequently occurs at each position of a naturally occurring human V_(H)3 domain is indicated in bold; and other preferred amino acid residues have been underlined.

For reference only, Tables A-5-A-8 also contain data on the V_(HH) entropy (“V_(HH) Ent.”) and V_(HH) variability (“V_(HH) Var.”) at each amino acid position for a representative sample of 1118 V_(HH) sequences (data kindly provided by David Lutje Hulsing and Prof. Theo Verrips of Utrecht University). The values for the V_(HH) entropy and the V_(HH) variability provide a measure for the variability and degree of conservation of amino acid residues between the 1118 V_(HH) sequences analyzed: low values (i.e. <1, such as <0.5) indicate that an amino acid residue is highly conserved between the V_(HH) sequences (i.e. little variability). For example, the G at position 8 and the G at position 9 have values for the V_(HH) entropy of 0.1 and 0 respectively, indicating that these residues are highly conserved and have little variability (and in case of position 9 is G in all 1118 sequences analysed), whereas for residues that form part of the CDR's generally values of 1.5 or more are found (data not shown). Note that (1) the amino acid residues listed in the second column of Tables A-5-A-8 are based on a bigger sample than the 1118 V_(HH) sequences that were analysed for determining the V_(HH) entropy and V_(HH) variability referred to in the last two columns; and (2) the data represented below support the hypothesis that the amino acid residues at positions 27-30 and maybe even also at positions 93 and 94 already form part of the CDR's (although the invention is not limited to any specific hypothesis or explanation, and as mentioned above, herein the numbering according to Kabat is used). For a general explanation of sequence entropy, sequence variability and the methodology for determining the same, see Oliveira et al., PROTEINS: Structure, Function and Genetics, 52: 544-552 (2003).

TABLE A-5 Non-limiting examples of amino acid residues in FR1 (for the footnotes, see the footnotes to Table A-3) Amino acid residue(s): V_(HH) V_(HH) Pos. Human V_(H)3 Camelid V_(HH)'s Ent. Var. 1 E, Q Q, A, E — — 2 V V 0.2 1 3 Q Q, K 0.3 2 4 L L 0.1 1 5 V, L Q, E, L, V 0.8 3 6 E E, D, Q, A 0.8 4 7 S, T S, F 0.3 2 8 G, R G 0.1 1 9 G G 0 1 10 G, V G, D, R 0.3 2 11 Hallmark residue: L, M, S, V, W; preferably L 0.8 2 12 V, I V, A 0.2 2 13 Q, K, R Q, E, K, P, R 0.4 4 14 P A, Q, A, G, P, S, T, V 1 5 15 G G 0 1 16 G, R G, A, E, D 0.4 3 17 S S, F 0.5 2 18 L L, V 0.1 1 19 R, K R, K, L, N, S, T 0.6 4 20 L L, F, I, V 0.5 4 21 S S, A, F, T 0.2 3 22 C C 0 1 23 A, T A, D, E, P, S, T, V 1.3 5 24 A A, I, L, S, T, V 1 6 25 S S, A, F, P, T 0.5 5 26 G G, A, D, E, R, S, T, V 0.7 7 27 F S, F, R, L, P, G, N, 2.3 13 28 T N, T, E, D, S, I, R, A, G, R, F, Y 1.7 11 29 F, V F, L, D, S, I, G, V, A 1.9 11 30 S, D, G N, S, E, G, A, D, M, T 1.8 11

TABLE A-6 Non-limiting examples of amino acid residues in FR2 (for the footnotes, see the footnotes to Table A-3) Amino acid residue(s): V_(HH) V_(HH) Pos. Human V_(H)3 Camelid V_(HH)'s Ent. Var. 36 W W 0.1 1 37 Hallmark residue: F⁽¹⁾, H, I, L, Y or V, preferably 1.1 6 F⁽¹⁾ or Y 38 R R 0.2 1 39 Q Q, H, P, R 0.3 2 40 A A, F, G, L, P, T, V 0.9 7 41 P, S, T P, A, L, S 0.4 3 42 G G, E 0.2 2 43 K K, D, E, N, Q, R, T, V 0.7 6 44 Hallmark residue: G⁽²⁾, E⁽³⁾, A, D, Q, R, S, L; 1.3 5 preferably G⁽²⁾, E⁽³⁾ or Q; most preferably G⁽²⁾ or E⁽³⁾. 45 Hallmark residue: L⁽²⁾, R⁽³⁾, C, I, L, P, Q, V; 0.6 4 preferably L⁽²⁾ or R⁽³⁾ 46 E, V E, D, K, Q, V 0.4 2 47 Hallmark residue: W⁽²⁾, L⁽¹⁾ or F⁽¹⁾, A, G, I, M, R, 1.9 9 S, V or Y; preferably W⁽²⁾, L⁽¹⁾, F⁽¹⁾ or R 48 V V, I, L 0.4 3 49 S, A, G A, S, G, T, V 0.8 3

TABLE A-7 Non-limiting examples of amino acid residues in FR3 (for the footnotes, see the footnotes to Table A-3) Amino acid residue(s): V_(HH) V_(HH) Pos. Human V_(H)3 Camelid V_(HH)'s Ent. Var. 66 R R 0.1 1 67 F F, L, V 0.1 1 68 T T, A, N, S 0.5 4 69 I I, L, M, V 0.4 4 70 S S, A, F, T 0.3 4 71 R R, G, H, I, L, K, Q, S, T, W 1.2 8 72 D, E D, E, G, N, V 0.5 4 73 N, D, G N, A, D, F, I, K, L, R, S, T, V, Y 1.2 9 74 A, S A, D, G, N, P, S, T, V 1 7 75 K K, A, E, K, L, N, Q, R 0.9 6 76 N, S N, D, K, R, S, T, Y 0.9 6 77 S, T, I T, A, E, I, M, P, S 0.8 5 78 L, A V, L, A, F, G, I, M 1.2 5 79 Y, H Y, A, D, F, H, N, S, T 1 7 80 L L, F, V 0.1 1 81 Q Q, E, I, L, R, T 0.6 5 82 M M, I, L, V 0.2 2  82a N, G N, D, G, H, S, T 0.8 4  82b S S, N, D, G, R, T 1 6  82c L L, P, V 0.1 2 83 Hallmark residue: R, K⁽⁵⁾, N, E⁽⁵⁾, G, I, M, Q or T; 0.9 7 preferably K or R; most preferably K 84 Hallmark residue: P⁽⁵⁾, A, D, L, R, S, T, V; 0.7 6 preferably P 85 E, G E, D, G, Q 0.5 3 86 D D 0 1 87 T, M T, A, S 0.2 3 88 A A, G, S 0.3 2 89 V, L V, A, D, I, L, M, N, R, T 1.4 6 90 Y Y, F 0 1 91 Y, H Y, D, F, H, L, S, T, V 0.6 4 92 C C 0 1 93 A, K, T A, N, G, H, K, N, R, S, T, V, Y 1.4 10 94 K, R, T A, V, C, F, G, I, K, L, R, S or T 1.6 9

TABLE A-8 Non-limiting examples of amino acid residues in FR4 (for the footnotes, see the footnotes to Table A-3) Amino acid residue(s): V_(HH) V_(HH) Pos. Human V_(H)3 Camelid V_(HH)'s Ent. Var. 103 Hallmark residue: W⁽⁴⁾, P⁽⁶⁾, R⁽⁶⁾, S; preferably W 0.4 2 104 Hallmark residue: G or D; preferably G 0.1 1 105 Q, R Q, E, K, P, R 0.6 4 106 G G 0.1 1 107 T T, A, I 0.3 2 108 Hallmark residue: Q, L⁽⁷⁾ or R: preferably Q or L⁽⁷⁾ 0.4 3 109 V V 0.1 1 110 T T, I, A 0.2 1 111 V V, A, I 0.3 2 112 S S, F 0.3 1 113 S S, A, L, P, T 0.4 3

Thus, in another preferred, but not limiting aspect, a Nanobody of the invention can be defined as an amino acid sequence with the (general) structure

-   -   FR1-CDR1-FR2-CDR2-FR3-CDR3-FR4

in which FR1 to FR4 refer to framework regions 1 to 4, respectively, and in which CDR1 to CDR3 refer to the complementarity determining regions 1 to 3, respectively, and in which:

-   i) one or more of the amino acid residues at positions 11, 37, 44,     45, 47, 83, 84, 103, 104 and 108 according to the Kabat numbering     are chosen from the Hallmark residues mentioned in Table A-3;     and in which: -   ii) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 are as defined herein, and are preferably as     defined according to one of the preferred aspects herein, and are     more preferably as defined according to one of the more preferred     aspects herein.

The above Nanobodies may for example be V_(HH) sequences or may be humanized Nanobodies. When the above Nanobody sequences are V_(HH) sequences, they may be suitably humanized, as further described herein. When the Nanobodies are partially humanized Nanobodies, they may optionally be further suitably humanized, again as described herein.

In particular, a Nanobody of the invention can be an amino acid sequence with the (general) structure

-   -   FR1-CDR1-FR2-CDR2-FR3-CDR3-FR4

in which FR1 to FR4 refer to framework regions 1 to 4, respectively, and in which CDR1 to CDR3 refer to the complementarity determining regions 1 to 3, respectively, and in which:

-   i) (preferably) one or more of the amino acid residues at positions     11, 37, 44, 45, 47, 83, 84, 103, 104 and 108 according to the Kabat     numbering are chosen from the Hallmark residues mentioned in Table     A-3 (it being understood that V_(HH) sequences will contain one or     more Hallmark residues; and that partially humanized Nanobodies will     usually, and preferably, [still] contain one or more Hallmark     residues [although it is also within the scope of the invention to     provide—where suitable in accordance with the invention—partially     humanized Nanobodies in which all Hallmark residues, but not one or     more of the other amino acid residues, have been humanized]; and     that in fully humanized Nanobodies, where suitable in accordance     with the invention, all amino acid residues at the positions of the     Hallmark residues will be amino acid residues that occur in a human     V_(H)3 sequence. As will be clear to the skilled person based on the     disclosure herein that such V_(HH) sequences, such partially     humanized Nanobodies with at least one Hallmark residue, such     partially humanized Nanobodies without Hallmark residues and such     fully humanized Nanobodies all form aspects of this invention);     and in which: -   ii) said amino acid sequence has at least 80% amino acid identity     with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: 1     to 22, in which for the purposes of determining the degree of amino     acid identity, the amino acid residues that form the CDR sequences     (indicated with X in the sequences of SEQ ID NO's: 1 to 22) are     disregarded;     and in which: -   iii) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 are as defined herein, and are preferably     as defined according to one of the preferred aspects herein, and are     more preferably as defined according to one of the more preferred     aspects herein.

The above Nanobodies may for example be V_(HH) or may be humanized Nanobodies. When the above Nanobody sequences are V_(HH) sequences, they may be suitably humanized, as further described herein. When the Nanobodies are partially humanized Nanobodies, they may optionally be further suitably humanized, again as described herein.

TABLE A-9 Representative single variable domains for Nanobodies of the KERE, GLEW and P, R, S 103 group. The CDR's are indicated with XXXX KERE sequence no. 1 SEQ ID NO: 1 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGIPFSXXXXXWFRQAPGKQRDSVAXXXXXRFTISRDN AKNTVYLQMNSLKPEDTAVYRCYFXXXXXWGQGTQVTVSS KERE sequence no. 2 SEQ ID NO: 2 QVKLEESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCVGSGRTFSXXXXXWFRLAPGKEREFVAXXXXXRFTISRDTA SNRGYLHMNNLTPEDTAVYYCAAXXXXXWGQGTQVTVSS KERE sequence no. 3 SEQ ID NO: 3 AVQLVDSGGGLVQAGDSLKLSCALTGGAFTXXXXXWFRQTPGREREFVAXXXXXRFTI SRDNAKNMVYLRMNSLIPEDAAVYSCAAXXXXXWGQGTLVTVSS KERE sequence no. 4 SEQ ID NO: 4 QVQLVESGGGLVEAGGSLRLSCTASESPFRXXXXXWFRQTSGQEREFVAXXXXXRFTI SRDDAKNTVWLHGSTLKPEDTAVYYCAAXXXXXWGQGTQVTVSS KERE sequence no. 5 SEQ ID NO: 5 AVQLVESGGGLVQGGGSLRLACAASERIFDXXXXXWYRQGPGNERELVAXXXXXRFTI SMDYTKQTVYLHMNSLRPEDTGLYYCKIXXXXXWGQGTQVTVSS KERE sequence no. 6 SEQ ID NO: 6 DVKFVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCVASGFNFDXXXXXWFRQAPGKEREEVAXXXXXRFT ISSEKDKNSVYLQMNSLKPEDTALYICAGXXXXXWGRGTQVTVSS KERE sequence no. 7 SEQ ID NO: 7 QVRLAESGGGLVQSGGSLRLSCVASGSTYTXXXXXWYRQYPGKQRALVAXXXXXRFT IARDSTKDTFCLQMNNLKPEDTAVYYCYAXXXXXWGQGTQVTVSS KERE sequence no. 8 SEQ ID NO: 8 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCAASGFTSDXXXXXWFRQAPGKPREGVSXXXXXRFT ISTDNAKNTVHLLMNRVNAEDTALYYCAVXXXXXWGRGTRVTVSS KERE sequence no. 9 SEQ ID NO: 9 QVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCQASGDISTXXXXXWYRQVPGKLREFVAXXXXXRFTI SGDNAKRAIYLQMNNLKPDDTAVYYCNRXXXXXWGQGTQVTVSP KERE sequence no. 10 SEQ ID NO: 10 QVPVVESGGGLVQAGDSLRLFCAVPSFTSTXXXXXWFRQAPGKEREFVAXXXXXRFTI SRNATKNTLTLRMDSLKPEDTAVYYCAAXXXXXWGQGTQVTVSS KERE sequence no. 11 SEQ ID NO: 11 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGDSLRLFCTVSGGTASXXXXXWFRQAPGEKREFVAXXXXXRFTI ARENAGNMVYLQMNNLKPDDTALYTCAAXXXXXWGRGTQVTVSS KERE sequence no. 12 SEQ ID NO: 12 AVQLVESGGDSVQPGDSQTLSCAASGRTNSXXXXXWFRQAPGKERVFLAXXXXXRFT ISRDSAKNMMYLQMNNLKPQDTAVYYCAAXXXXXWGQGTQVTVSS KERE sequence no. 13 SEQ ID NO: 13 AVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCVVSGLTSSXXXXXWFRQTPWQERDFVAXXXXXRFT ISRDNYKDTVLLEMNFLKPEDTAIYYCAAXXXXXWGQGTQVTVSS KERE sequence no. 14 SEQ ID NO: 14 AVQLVESGGGLVQAGASLRLSCATSTRTLDXXXXXWFRQAPGRDREFVAXXXXXRFT VSRDSAENTVALQMNSLKPEDTAVYYCAAXXXXXWGQGTRVTVSS KERE sequence no. 15 SEQ ID NO: 15 QVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCTVSRLTAHXXXXXWFRQAPGKEREAVSXXXXXRFTI SRDYAGNTAFLQMDSLKPEDTGVYYCATXXXXXWGQGTQVTVSS KERE sequence no. 16 SEQ ID NO: 16 EVQLVESGGELVQAGGSLKLSCTASGRNFVXXXXXWFRRAPGKEREFVAXXXXXRFT VSRDNGKNTAYLRMNSLKPEDTADYYCAVXXXXXLGSGTQVTVSS GLEW sequence no. 1 SEQ ID NO: 17 AVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSXXXXXWVRQAPGKVLEWVSXXXXXRFT ISRDNAKNTLYLQMNSLKPEDTAVYYCVKXXXXXGSQGTQVTVSS GLEW sequence no. 2 SEQ ID NO: 18 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCVCVSSGCTXXXXXWVRQAPGKAEEWVSXXXXXRF KISRDNAKKTLYLQMNSLGPEDTAMYYCQRXXXXXRGQGTQVTVSS GLEW sequence no. 3 SEQ ID NO: 19 EVQLVESGGGLALPGGSLTLSCVFSGSTFSXXXXXWVRHTPGKAEEWVSXXXXXRFTI SRDNAKNTLYLEMNSLSPEDTAMYYCGRXXXXXRSKGIQVTVSS P, R, S 103 sequence no. 1 SEQ ID NO: 20 AVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCAASGRTFSXXXXXWFRQAPGKEREFVAXXXXXRFTI SRDNAKNTVYLQMNSLKPEDTAVYYCAAXXXXXRGQGTQVTVSS P, R, S 103 sequence no. 2 SEQ ID NO: 21 DVQLVESGGDLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFSFDXXXXXWLRQTPGKGLEWVGXXXXXRFT ISRDNAKNMLYLHLNNLKSEDTAVYYCRRXXXXXLGQGTQVTVSS P, R, S 103 sequence no. 3 SEQ ID NO: 22 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCVCVSSGCTXXXXXWVRQAPGKAEEWVSXXXXXRFKISR DNAKKTLYLQMNSLGPEDTAMYYCQRXXXXXRGQGTQVTVSS

In particular, a Nanobody of the invention of the KERE group can be an amino acid sequence with the (general) structure

-   -   FR1-CDR1-FR2-CDR2-FR3-CDR3-FR4         in which:

-   i) the amino acid residue at position 45 according to the Kabat     numbering is a charged amino acid (as defined herein) or a cysteine     residue, and position 44 is preferably an E;     and in which:

-   ii) FR1 is an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the following amino acid sequences:

TABLE A-10 Representative FW1 sequences for Nanobodies of the KERE-group. KERE FW1 sequence no. 1 SEQ ID NO: 23 QVQRVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCAASGRTSS KERE FW1 sequence no. 2 SEQ ID NO: 24 QVQLVESGGGLVQTGDSLSLSCSASGRTFS KERE FW1 sequence no. 3 SEQ ID NO: 25 QVKLEESGGGLVQAGDSLRLSCAATGRAFG KERE FW1 sequence no. 4 SEQ ID NO: 26 AVQLVESGGGLVQPGESLGLSCVASGRDFV KERE FW1 sequence no. 5 SEQ ID NO: 27 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCEVLGRTAG KERE FW1 sequence no. 6 SEQ ID NO: 28 QVQLVESGGGWVQPGGSLRLSCAASETILS KERE FW1 sequence no. 7 SEQ ID NO: 29 QVQLVESGGGTVQPGGSLNLSCVASGNTFN KERE FW1 sequence no. 8 SEQ ID NO: 30 EVQLVESGGGLAQPGGSLQLSCSAPGFTLD KERE FW1 sequence no. 9 SEQ ID NO: 31 AQELEESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCAASGRTFN and in which:

-   iii) FR2 is an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the following amino acid sequences:

TABLE A-11 Representative FW2 sequences for Nanobodies of the KERE-group. KERE FW2 sequence SEQ ID NO: 41 WFRQAPGKEREFVA no. 1 KERE FW2 sequence SEQ ID NO: 42 WFRQTPGREREFVA no. 2 KERE FW2 sequence SEQ ID NO: 43 WYRQAPGKQREMVA no. 3 KERE FW2 sequence SEQ ID NO: 44 WYRQGPGKQRELVA no. 4 KERE FW2 sequence SEQ ID NO: 45 WIRQAPGKEREGVS no. 5 KERE FW2 sequence SEQ ID NO: 46 WFREAPGKEREGIS no. 6 KERE FW2 sequence SEQ ID NO: 47 WYRQAPGKERDLVA no. 7 KERE FW2 sequence SEQ ID NO: 48 WFRQAPGKQREEVS no. 8 KERE FW2 sequence SEQ ID NO: 49 WFRQPPGKVREFVG no. 9 and in which:

-   iv) FR3 is an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the following amino acid sequences:

TABLE A-12 Representative FW3 sequences for Nanobodies of the KERE-group. KERE FW3 sequence no. 1 SEQ ID NO: 50 RFTISRDNAKNTVYLQMNSLKPEDTAVYRCYF KERE FW3 sequence no. 2 SEQ ID NO: 51 RFAISRDNNKNTGYLQMNSLEPEDTAVYYCAA KERE FW3 sequence no. 3 SEQ ID NO: 52 RFTVARNNAKNTVNLEMNSLKPEDTAVYYCAA KERE FW3 sequence no. 4 SEQ ID NO: 53 RFTISRDIAKNTVDLLMNNLEPEDTAVYYCAA KERE FW3 sequence no. 5 SEQ ID NO: 54 RLTISRDNAVDTMYLQMNSLKPEDTAVYYCAA KERE FW3 sequence no. 6 SEQ ID NO: 55 RFTISRDNAKNTVYLQMDNVKPEDTAIYYCAA KERE FW3 sequence no. 7 SEQ ID NO: 56 RFTISKDSGKNTVYLQMTSLKPEDTAVYYCAT KERE FW3 sequence no. 8 SEQ ID NO: 57 RFTISRDSAKNMMYLQMNNLKPQDTAVYYCAA KERE FW3 sequence no. 9 SEQ ID NO: 58 RFTISRENDKSTVYLQLNSLKPEDTAVYYCAA KERE FW3 sequence no. 10 SEQ ID NO: 59 RFTISRDYAGNTAYLQMNSLKPEDTGVYYCAT and in which:

-   v) FR4 is an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the following amino acid sequences:

TABLE A-13 Representative FW4 sequences for Nanobodies of the KERE-group. KERE FW4 sequence no. 1 SEQ ID NO: 60 WGQGTQVTVSS KERE FW4 sequence no. 2 SEQ ID NO: 61 WGKGTLVTVSS KERE FW4 sequence no. 3 SEQ ID NO: 62 RGQGTRVTVSS KERE FW4 sequence no. 4 SEQ ID NO: 63 WGLGTQVTISS and in which:

-   vi) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 are as defined herein, and are preferably as     defined according to one of the preferred aspects herein, and are     more preferably as defined according to one of the more preferred     aspects herein.

In the above Nanobodies, one or more of the further Hallmark residues are preferably as described herein (for example, when they are VHH sequences or partially humanized Nanobodies).

Also, the above Nanobodies may for example be VHH sequences or may be humanized Nanobodies. When the above Nanobody sequences are VHH sequences, they may be suitably humanized, as further described herein. When the Nanobodies are partially humanized Nanobodies, they may optionally be further suitably humanized, again as described herein.

With regard to framework 1, it will be clear to the skilled person that, when an amino acid sequence as outlined above is generated by expression of a nucleotide sequence, the first four single variable domains (i.e. amino acid residues 1-4 according to the Kabat numbering) may often be determined by the primer(s) that have been used to generate said nucleic acid. Thus, for determining the degree of amino acid identity, the first four amino acid residues are preferably disregarded.

Also, with regard to framework 1, and although amino acid positions 27 to 30 are according to the Kabat numbering considered to be part of the framework regions (and not the CDR's), it has been found by analysis of a database of more than 1000 VHH sequences that the positions 27 to 30 have a variability (expressed in terms of V_(HH) entropy and V_(HH) variability—see Tables A-5 to A-8) that is much greater than the variability on positions 1 to 26. Because of this, for determining the degree of amino acid identity, the amino acid residues at positions 27 to 30 are preferably also disregarded.

In view of this, a Nanobody of the KERE class may be an amino acid sequence that is comprised of four framework regions/sequences interrupted by three complementarity determining regions/sequences, in which:

-   i) the amino acid residue at position 45 according to the Kabat     numbering is a charged amino acid (as defined herein) or a cysteine     residue, and position 44 is preferably an E;     and in which: -   ii) FR1 is an amino acid sequence that, on positions 5 to 26 of the     Kabat numbering, has at least 80% amino acid identity with at least     one of the following amino acid sequences:

TABLE A-14 Representative FW1 sequences (amino acid residues 5 to 26) for Nanobodies of the KERE-group. KERE FW1 sequence no. 10 SEQ ID NO: 32 VESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASG KERE FW1 sequence no. 11 SEQ ID NO: 33 VDSGGGLVQAGDSLKLSCALTG KERE FW1 sequence no. 12 SEQ ID NO: 34 VDSGGGLVQAGDSLRLSCAASG KERE FW1 sequence no. 13 SEQ ID NO: 35 VDSGGGLVEAGGSLRLSCQVSE KERE FW1 sequence no. 14 SEQ ID NO: 36 QDSGGGSVQAGGSLKLSCAASG KERE FW1 sequence no. 15 SEQ ID NO: 37 VQSGGRLVQAGDSLRLSCAASE KERE FW1 sequence no. 16 SEQ ID NO: 38 VESGGTLVQSGDSLKLSCASST KERE FW1 sequence no. 17 SEQ ID NO: 39 MESGGDSVQSGGSLTLSCVASG KERE FW1 sequence no. 18 SEQ ID NO: 40 QASGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCSASV and in which:

-   iii) FR2, FR3 and FR4 are as mentioned herein for FR2, FR3 and FR4     of Nanobodies of the KERE-class;     and in which: -   iv) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 are as defined herein, and are preferably as     defined according to one of the preferred aspects herein, and are     more preferably as defined according to one of the more preferred     aspects herein.

The above Nanobodies may for example be VHH sequences or may be humanized Nanobodies. When the above Nanobody sequences are VHH sequences, they may be suitably humanized, as further described herein. When the Nanobodies are partially humanized Nanobodies, they may optionally be further suitably humanized, again as described herein.

A Nanobody of the GLEW class may be an amino acid sequence that is comprised of four framework regions/sequences interrupted by three complementarity determining regions/sequences, in which

-   i) preferably, when the Nanobody of the GLEW-class is a     non-humanized Nanobody, the amino acid residue in position 108 is Q; -   ii) FR1 is an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the following amino acid sequences:

TABLE A-15 Representative FW1 sequences for Nanobodies of the GLEW-group. GLEW FW1 sequence no. 1 SEQ ID NO: 64 QVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFS GLEW FW1 sequence no. 2 SEQ ID NO: 65 EVHLVESGGGLVRPGGSLRLSCAAFGFIFK GLEW FW1 sequence no. 3 SEQ ID NO: 66 QVKLEESGGGLAQPGGSLRLSCVASGFTFS GLEW FW1 sequence no. 4 SEQ ID NO: 67 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCVCVSSGCT GLEW FW1 sequence no. 5 SEQ ID NO: 68 EVQLVESGGGLALPGGSLTLSCVFSGSTFS and in which:

-   iii) FR2 is an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the following amino acid sequences:

TABLE A-16 Representative FW2 sequences for Nanobodies of the GLEW-group. GLEW FW2 sequence no. SEQ ID NO: 72 WVRQAPGKVLEWVS 1 GLEW FW2 sequence no. SEQ ID NO: 73 WVRRPPGKGLEWVS 2 GLEW FW2 sequence no. SEQ ID NO: 74 WVRQAPGMGLEWVS 3 GLEW FW2 sequence no. SEQ ID NO: 75 WVRQAPGKEPEWVS 4 GLEW FW2 sequence no. SEQ ID NO: 76 WVRQAPGKDQEWVS 5 GLEW FW2 sequence no. SEQ ID NO: 77 WVRQAPGKAEEWVS 6 GLEW FW2 sequence no. SEQ ID NO: 78 WVRQAPGKGLEWVA 7 GLEW FW2 sequence no. SEQ ID NO: 79 WVRQAPGRATEWVS 8 and in which:

-   iv) FR3 is an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the following amino acid sequences:

TABLE A-17 Representative FW3 sequences for Nanobodies of the GLEW-group. GLEW FW3 sequence no. 1 SEQ ID NO: 80 RFTISRDNAKNTLYLQMNSLKPEDTAVYYCVK GLEW FW3 sequence no. 2 SEQ ID NO: 81 RFTISRDNARNTLYLQMDSLIPEDTALYYCAR GLEW FW3 sequence no. 3 SEQ ID NO: 82 RFTSSRDNAKSTLYLQMNDLKPEDTALYYCAR GLEW FW3 sequence no. 4 SEQ ID NO: 83 RFIISRDNAKNTLYLQMNSLGPEDTAMYYCQR GLEW FW3 sequence no. 5 SEQ ID NO: 84 RFTASRDNAKNTLYLQMNSLKSEDTARYYCAR GLEW FW3 sequence no. 6 SEQ ID NO: 85 RFTISRDNAKNTLYLQMDDLQSEDTAMYYCGR and in which:

-   v) FR4 is an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the following amino acid sequences:

TABLE A-18 Representative FW4 sequences for Nanobodies of the GLEW-group. GLEW FW4 sequence no. 1 SEQ ID NO: 86 GSQGTQVTVSS GLEW FW4 sequence no. 2 SEQ ID NO: 87 LRGGTQVTVSS GLEW FW4 sequence no. 3 SEQ ID NO: 88 RGQGTLVTVSS GLEW FW4 sequence no. 4 SEQ ID NO: 89 RSRGIQVTVSS GLEW FW4 sequence no. 5 SEQ ID NO: 90 WGKGTQVTVSS GLEW FW4 sequence no. 6 SEQ ID NO: 91 WGQGTQVTVSS and in which:

-   vi) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 are as defined herein, and are preferably as     defined according to one of the preferred aspects herein, and are     more preferably as defined according to one of the more preferred     aspects herein.

In the above Nanobodies, one or more of the further Hallmark residues are preferably as described herein (for example, when they are VHH sequences or partially humanized Nanobodies).

With regard to framework 1, it will again be clear to the skilled person that, for determining the degree of amino acid identity, the amino acid residues on positions 1 to 4 and 27 to 30 are preferably disregarded.

In view of this, a Nanobody of the GLEW class may be an amino acid sequence that is comprised of four framework regions/sequences interrupted by three complementarity determining regions/sequences, in which:

-   i) preferably, when the Nanobody of the GLEW-class is a     non-humanized Nanobody, the amino acid residue in position 108 is Q;     and in which: -   ii) FR1 is an amino acid sequence that, on positions 5 to 26 of the     Kabat numbering, has at least 80% amino acid identity with at least     one of the following amino acid sequences:

TABLE A-19 Representative FW1 sequences (amino acid residues 5 to 26) for Nanobodies of the KERE-group. GLEW FW1 SEQ ID NO: 69 VESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASG sequence no. 6 GLEW FW1 SEQ ID NO: 70 EESGGGLAQPGGSLRLSCVASG sequence no. 7 GLEW FW1 SEQ ID NO: 71 VESGGGLALPGGSLTLSCVFSG sequence no. 8 and in which:

-   iii) FR2, FR3 and FR4 are as mentioned herein for FR2, FR3 and FR4     of Nanobodies of the GLEW-class;     and in which: -   iv) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 are as defined herein, and are preferably as     defined according to one of the preferred aspects herein, and are     more preferably as defined according to one of the more preferred     aspects herein.

The above Nanobodies may for example be VHH sequences or may be humanized Nanobodies. When the above Nanobody sequences are VHH sequences, they may be suitably humanized, as further described herein. When the Nanobodies are partially humanized Nanobodies, they may optionally be further suitably humanized, again as described herein. In the above Nanobodies, one or more of the further Hallmark residues are preferably as described herein (for example, when they are VHH sequences or partially humanized Nanobodies).

A Nanobody of the P, R, S 103 class may be an amino acid sequence that is comprised of four framework regions/sequences interrupted by three complementarity determining regions/sequences, in which

-   i) the amino acid residue at position 103 according to the Kabat     numbering is different from W;     and in which: -   ii) preferably the amino acid residue at position 103 according to     the Kabat numbering is P, R or S, and more preferably R;     and in which: -   iii) FR1 is an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the following amino acid sequences:

TABLE A-20 Representative FW1 sequences for Nanobodies of the P, R, S 103-group. P, R, S 103 FW1 sequence no. 1 SEQ ID NO: 92 AVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCAASGRTFS P, R, S 103 FW1 sequence no. 2 SEQ ID NO: 93 QVQLQESGGGMVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFDFG P, R, S 103 FW1 sequence no. 3 SEQ ID NO: 94 EVHLVESGGGLVRPGGSLRLSCAAFGFIFK P, R, S 103 FW1 sequence no. 4 SEQ ID NO: 95 QVQLAESGGGLVQPGGSLKLSCAASRTIVS P, R, S 103 FW1 sequence no. 5 SEQ ID NO: 96 QEHLVESGGGLVDIGGSLRLSCAASERIFS P, R, S 103 FW1 sequence no. 6 SEQ ID NO: 97 QVKLEESGGGLAQPGGSLRLSCVASGFTFS P, R, S 103 FW1 sequence no. 7 SEQ ID NO: 98 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCVCVSSGCT P, R, S 103 FW1 sequence no. 8 SEQ ID NO: 99 EVQLVESGGGLALPGGSLTLSCVFSGSTFS and in which

-   iv) FR2 is an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the following amino acid sequences:

TABLE A-21 Representative FW2 sequences for Nanobodies of the P, R, S 103-group. P, R, S 103 FW2 sequence no. 1 SEQ ID NO: 102 WFRQAPGKEREFVA P, R, S 103 FW2 sequence no. 2 SEQ ID NO: 103 WVRQAPGKVLEWVS P, R, S 103 FW2 sequence no. 3 SEQ ID NO: 104 WVRRPPGKGLEWVS P, R, S 103 FW2 sequence no. 4 SEQ ID NO: 105 WIRQAPGKEREGVS P, R, S 103 FW2 sequence no. 5 SEQ ID NO: 106 WVRQYPGKEPEWVS P, R, S 103 FW2 sequence no. 6 SEQ ID NO: 107 WFRQPPGKEHEFVA P, R, S 103 FW2 sequence no. 7 SEQ ID NO: 108 WYRQAPGKRTELVA P, R, S 103 FW2 sequence no. 8 SEQ ID NO: 109 WLRQAPGQGLEWVS P, R, S 103 FW2 sequence no. 9 SEQ ID NO: 110 WLRQTPGKGLEWVG P, R, S 103 FW2 sequence no. 10 SEQ ID NO: 111 WVRQAPGKAEEFVS and in which:

-   v) FR3 is an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the following amino acid sequences:

TABLE A-22 Representative FW3 sequences for Nanobodies of the P, R, S 103-group. P, R, S 103 FW3 sequence no. 1 SEQ ID NO: 112 RFTISRDNAKNTVYLQMNSLKPEDTAVYYCAA P, R, S 103 FW3 sequence no. 2 SEQ ID NO: 113 RFTISRDNARNTLYLQMDSLIPEDTALYYCAR P, R, S 103 FW3 sequence no. 3 SEQ ID NO: 114 RFTISRDNAKNEMYLQMNNLKTEDTGVYWCGA P, R, S 103 FW3 sequence no. 4 SEQ ID NO: 115 RFTISSDSNRNMIYLQMNNLKPEDTAVYYCAA P, R, S 103 FW3 sequence no. 5 SEQ ID NO: 116 RFTISRDNAKNMLYLHLNNLKSEDTAVYYCRR P, R, S 103 FW3 sequence no. 6 SEQ ID NO: 117 RFTISRDNAKKTVYLRLNSLNPEDTAVYSCNL P, R, S 103 FW3 sequence no. 7 SEQ ID NO: 118 RFKISRDNAKKTLYLQMNSLGPEDTAMYYCQR P, R, S 103 FW3 sequence no. 8 SEQ ID NO: 119 RFTVSRDNGKNTAYLRMNSLKPEDTADYYCAV and in which:

-   vi) FR4 is an amino acid sequence that has at least 80% amino acid     identity with at least one of the following amino acid sequences:

TABLE A-23 Representative FW4 sequences for Nanobodies of the P, R, S 103-group. P, R, S 103 FW4 SEQ ID NO: 120 RGQGTQVTVSS sequence no. 1 P, R, S 103 FW4 SEQ ID NO: 121 LRGGTQVTVSS sequence no. 2 P, R, S 103 FW4 SEQ ID NO: 122 GNKGTLVTVSS sequence no. 3 P, R, S 103 FW4 SEQ ID NO: 123 SSPGTQVTVSS sequence no. 4 P, R, S 103 FW4 SEQ ID NO: 124 SSQGTLVTVSS sequence no. 5 P, R, S 103 FW4 SEQ ID NO: 125 RSRGIQVTVSS sequence no. 6 and in which:

-   vii) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 are as defined herein, and are preferably     as defined according to one of the preferred aspects herein, and are     more preferably as defined according to one of the more preferred     aspects herein.

In the above Nanobodies, one or more of the further Hallmark residues are preferably as described herein (for example, when they are VHH sequences or partially humanized Nanobodies).

With regard to framework 1, it will again be clear to the skilled person that, for determining the degree of amino acid identity, the amino acid residues on positions 1 to 4 and 27 to 30 are preferably disregarded.

In view of this, a Nanobody of the P,R,S 103 class may be an amino acid sequence that is comprised of four framework regions/sequences interrupted by three complementarity determining regions/sequences, in which:

-   i) the amino acid residue at position 103 according to the Kabat     numbering is different from W;     and in which: -   ii) preferably the amino acid residue at position 103 according to     the Kabat numbering is P, R or S, and more preferably R;     and in which: -   iii) FR1 is an amino acid sequence that, on positions 5 to 26 of the     Kabat numbering, has at least 80% amino acid identity with at least     one of the following amino acid sequences:

TABLE A-24 Representative FW1 sequences (amino acid residues 5 to 26) for Nanobodies of the P, R, S 103-group. P, R, S 103 FW1 SEQ ID NO: VESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCAASG sequence no. 9 100 P, R, S 103 FW1 SEQ ID NO: AESGGGLVQPGGSLKLSCAASR sequence no. 10 101 and in which:

-   iv) FR2, FR3 and FR4 are as mentioned herein for FR2, FR3 and FR4 of     Nanobodies of the P,R,S 103 class;     and in which: -   v) CDR1, CDR2 and CDR3 are as defined herein, and are preferably as     defined according to one of the preferred aspects herein, and are     more preferably as defined according to one of the more preferred     aspects herein.

The above Nanobodies may for example be VHH sequences or may be humanized Nanobodies. When the above Nanobody sequences are VHH sequences, they may be suitably humanized, as further described herein. When the Nanobodies are partially humanized Nanobodies, they may optionally be further suitably humanized, again as described herein.

In the above Nanobodies, one or more of the further Hallmark residues are preferably as described herein (for example, when they are VHH sequences or partially humanized Nanobodies).

In another preferred, but non-limiting aspect, the invention relates to a Nanobody as described above, in which the CDR sequences have at least 70% amino acid identity, preferably at least 80% amino acid identity, more preferably at least 90% amino acid identity, such as 95% amino acid identity or more or even essentially 100% amino acid identity with the CDR sequences of at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [255-269]. This degree of amino acid identity can for example be determined by determining the degree of amino acid identity (in a manner described herein) between said Nanobody and one or more of the sequences of SEQ ID NO's: [255-269], in which the amino acid residues that form the framework regions are disregarded. Such Nanobodies can be as further described herein.

As already mentioned herein, another preferred but non-limiting aspect of the invention relates to a Nanobody with an amino acid sequence that is chosen from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO's: [255-269] or from the group consisting of from single variable domains that have more than 80%, preferably more than 90%, more preferably more than 95%, such as 99% or more sequence identity (as defined herein) with at least one of the single variable domains of SEQ ID NO's: [255-269].

Also, in the above Nanobodies:

-   i) any amino acid substitution (when it is not a humanizing     substitution as defined herein) is preferably, and compared to the     corresponding amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO's: [255-269], a     conservative amino acid substitution, (as defined herein);     and/or: -   ii) its amino acid sequence preferably contains either only amino     acid substitutions, or otherwise preferably no more than 5,     preferably no more than 3, and more preferably only 1 or 2 amino     acid deletions or insertions, compared to the corresponding amino     acid sequence of SEQ ID NO's: [255-269];     and/or -   iii) the CDR's may be CDR's that are derived by means of affinity     maturation, for example starting from the CDR's of to the     corresponding amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO's: [255-269].

Preferably, the CDR sequences and FR sequences in the Nanobodies of the invention are such that the Nanobodies of the invention (and single variable domains of the invention comprising the same):

-   -   bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway with a         dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁵ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or         less, and preferably 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less and more         preferably 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter (i.e. with an association         constant (K_(A)) of 10⁵ to 10¹² liter/moles or more, and         preferably 10⁷ to 10¹² liter/moles or more and more preferably         10⁸ to 10¹² liter/moles);         and/or such that they:     -   bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway with a         k_(on)-rate of between 10² M⁻¹s⁻¹ to about 10⁷ M⁻¹s⁻¹,         preferably between 10³ M⁻¹s⁻¹ and 10⁷ M⁻¹s⁻¹, more preferably         between 10⁴ M⁻¹s⁻¹ and 10⁷ M⁻¹s⁻¹, such as between 10⁵ M⁻¹s⁻¹         and 10⁷ M⁻¹s⁻¹;         and/or such that they:     -   bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway with a k_(off)         rate between 1 s⁻¹ (t_(1/2)=0.69 s) and 10⁻⁶ s⁻¹ (providing a         near irreversible complex with a t_(1/2) of multiple days),         preferably between 10⁻² s⁻¹ and 10⁻⁶ s⁻¹, more preferably         between 10⁻³ s⁻¹ and 10⁻⁶ s⁻¹, such as between 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ and 10⁻⁶         s⁻¹.

Preferably, CDR sequences and FR sequences present in the Nanobodies of the invention are such that the Nanobodies of the invention will bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway with an affinity less than 500 nM, preferably less than 200 nM, more preferably less than 10 nM, such as less than 500 pM.

According to one non-limiting aspect of the invention, a Nanobody may be as defined herein, but with the proviso that it has at least “one amino acid difference” (as defined herein) in at least one of the framework regions compared to the corresponding framework region of a naturally occurring human V_(H) domain, and in particular compared to the corresponding framework region of DP-47. More specifically, according to one non-limiting aspect of the invention, a Nanobody may be as defined herein, but with the proviso that it has at least “one amino acid difference” (as defined herein) at least one of the Hallmark residues (including those at positions 108, 103 and/or 45) compared to the corresponding framework region of a naturally occurring human V_(H) domain, and in particular compared to the corresponding framework region of DP-47. Usually, a Nanobody will have at least one such amino acid difference with a naturally occurring V_(H) domain in at least one of FR2 and/or FR4, and in particular at least one of the Hallmark residues in FR2 and/or FR4 (again, including those at positions 108, 103 and/or 45).

Also, a humanized Nanobody of the invention may be as defined herein, but with the proviso that it has at least “one amino acid difference” (as defined herein) in at least one of the framework regions compared to the corresponding framework region of a naturally occurring V_(HH) domain. More specifically, according to one non-limiting aspect of the invention, a humanized Nanobody may be as defined herein, but with the proviso that it has at least “one amino acid difference” (as defined herein) at least one of the Hallmark residues (including those at positions 108, 103 and/or 45) compared to the corresponding framework region of a naturally occurring V_(HH) domain. Usually, a humanized Nanobody will have at least one such amino acid difference with a naturally occurring V_(HH) domain in at least one of FR2 and/or FR4, and in particular at least one of the Hallmark residues in FR2 and/or FR4 (again, including those at positions 108, 103 and/or 45).

As will be clear from the disclosure herein, it is also within the scope of the invention to use natural or synthetic analogs, mutants, variants, alleles, homologs and orthologs (herein collectively referred to as “analogs”) of the Nanobodies of the invention as defined herein, and in particular analogs of the Nanobodies of SEQ ID NO's [255-269]. Thus, according to one aspect of the invention, the term “Nanobody of the invention” in its broadest sense also covers such analogs.

Generally, in such analogs, one or more amino acid residues may have been replaced, deleted and/or added, compared to the Nanobodies of the invention as defined herein. Such substitutions, insertions or deletions may be made in one or more of the framework regions and/or in one or more of the CDR's. When such substitutions, insertions or deletions are made in one or more of the framework regions, they may be made at one or more of the Hallmark residues and/or at one or more of the other positions in the framework residues, although substitutions, insertions or deletions at the Hallmark residues are generally less preferred (unless these are suitable humanizing substitutions as described herein).

By means of non-limiting examples, a substitution may for example be a conservative substitution (as described herein) and/or an amino acid residue may be replaced by another amino acid residue that naturally occurs at the same position in another V_(HH) domain (see Tables A-5 to A-8 for some non-limiting examples of such substitutions), although the invention is generally not limited thereto. Thus, any one or more substitutions, deletions or insertions, or any combination thereof, that either improve the properties of the Nanobody of the invention or that at least do not detract too much from the desired properties or from the balance or combination of desired properties of the Nanobody of the invention (i.e. to the extent that the Nanobody is no longer suited for its intended use) are included within the scope of the invention. A skilled person will generally be able to determine and select suitable substitutions, deletions or insertions, or suitable combinations of thereof, based on the disclosure herein and optionally after a limited degree of routine experimentation, which may for example involve introducing a limited number of possible substitutions and determining their influence on the properties of the Nanobodies thus obtained.

For example, and depending on the host organism used to express the Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention, such deletions and/or substitutions may be designed in such a way that one or more sites for post-translational modification (such as one or more glycosylation sites) are removed, as will be within the ability of the person skilled in the art. Alternatively, substitutions or insertions may be designed so as to introduce one or more sites for attachment of functional groups (as described herein), for example to allow site-specific pegylation (again as described herein).

As can be seen from the data on the V_(HH) entropy and V_(HH) variability given in Tables A-5 to A-8 above, some amino acid residues in the framework regions are more conserved than others. Generally, although the invention in its broadest sense is not limited thereto, any substitutions, deletions or insertions are preferably made at positions that are less conserved. Also, generally, amino acid substitutions are preferred over amino acid deletions or insertions.

The analogs are preferably such that they can bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway with an affinity (suitably measured and/or expressed as a K_(D)-value (actual or apparent), a K_(A)-value (actual or apparent), a k_(on)-rate and/or a k_(off)-rate, or alternatively as an IC₅₀ value, as further described herein) that is as defined herein for the Nanobodies of the invention.

The analogs are preferably also such that they retain the favourable properties the Nanobodies, as described herein.

Also, according to one preferred aspect, the analogs have a degree of sequence identity of at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, such as at least 95% or 99% or more; and/or preferably have at most 20, preferably at most 10, even more preferably at most 5, such as 4, 3, 2 or only 1 amino acid difference (as defined herein), with one of the Nanobodies of SEQ ID NOs: [255-269].

Also, the framework sequences and CDR's of the analogs are preferably such that they are in accordance with the preferred aspects defined herein. More generally, as described herein, the analogs will have (a) a Q at position 108; and/or (b) a charged amino acid or a cysteine residue at position 45 and preferably an E at position 44, and more preferably E at position 44 and R at position 45; and/or (c) P, R or S at position 103.

One preferred class of analogs of the Nanobodies of the invention comprise Nanobodies that have been humanized (i.e. compared to the sequence of a naturally occurring Nanobody of the invention). As mentioned in the background art cited herein, such humanization generally involves replacing one or more amino acid residues in the sequence of a naturally occurring V_(HH) with the amino acid residues that occur at the same position in a human V_(H) domain, such as a human V_(H)3 domain. Examples of possible humanizing substitutions or combinations of humanizing substitutions will be clear to the skilled person, for example from the Tables herein, from the possible humanizing substitutions mentioned in the background art cited herein, and/or from a comparison between the sequence of a Nanobody and the sequence of a naturally occurring human V_(H) domain.

The humanizing substitutions should be chosen such that the resulting humanized Nanobodies still retain the favourable properties of Nanobodies as defined herein, and more preferably such that they are as described for analogs in the preceding paragraphs. A skilled person will generally be able to determine and select suitable humanizing substitutions or suitable combinations of humanizing substitutions, based on the disclosure herein and optionally after a limited degree of routine experimentation, which may for example involve introducing a limited number of possible humanizing substitutions and determining their influence on the properties of the Nanobodies thus obtained.

Generally, as a result of humanization, the Nanobodies of the invention may become more “human-like”, while still retaining the favorable properties of the Nanobodies of the invention as described herein. As a result, such humanized Nanobodies may have several advantages, such as a reduced immunogenicity, compared to the corresponding naturally occurring V_(HH) domains. Again, based on the disclosure herein and optionally after a limited degree of routine experimentation, the skilled person will be able to select humanizing substitutions or suitable combinations of humanizing substitutions which optimize or achieve a desired or suitable balance between the favourable properties provided by the humanizing substitutions on the one hand and the favourable properties of naturally occurring V_(HH) domains on the other hand.

The Nanobodies of the invention may be suitably humanized at any framework residue(s), such as at one or more Hallmark residues (as defined herein) or at one or more other framework residues (i.e. non-Hallmark residues) or any suitable combination thereof. One preferred humanizing substitution for Nanobodies of the “P,R,S-103 group” or the “KERE group” is Q108 into L108. Nanobodies of the “GLEW class” may also be humanized by a Q108 into L108 substitution, provided at least one of the other Hallmark residues contains a camelid (camelizing) substitution (as defined herein). For example, as mentioned above, one particularly preferred class of humanized Nanobodies has GLEW or a GLEW-like sequence at positions 44-47; P, R or S (and in particular R) at position 103, and an L at position 108.

The humanized and other analogs, and nucleic acid sequences encoding the same, can be provided in any manner known per se. For example, the analogs can be obtained by providing a nucleic acid that encodes a naturally occurring V_(HH) domain, changing the codons for the one or more amino acid residues that are to be substituted into the codons for the corresponding desired amino acid residues (e.g. by site-directed mutagenesis or by PCR using suitable mismatch primers), expressing the nucleic acid/nucleotide sequence thus obtained in a suitable host or expression system; and optionally isolating and/or purifying the analog thus obtained to provide said analog in essentially isolated form (e.g. as further described herein). This can generally be performed using methods and techniques known per se, which will be clear to the skilled person, for example from the handbooks and references cited herein, the background art cited herein and/or from the further description herein. Alternatively, a nucleic acid encoding the desired analog can be synthesized in a manner known per se (for example using an automated apparatus for synthesizing nucleic acid sequences with a predefined amino acid sequence) and can then be expressed as described herein. Yet another technique may involve combining one or more naturally occurring and/or synthetic nucleic acid sequences each encoding a part of the desired analog, and then expressing the combined nucleic acid sequence as described herein. Also, the analogs can be provided using chemical synthesis of the pertinent amino acid sequence using techniques for peptide synthesis known per se, such as those mentioned herein.

In this respect, it will be also be clear to the skilled person that the Nanobodies of the invention (including their analogs) can be designed and/or prepared starting from human V_(H) sequences (i.e. single variable domains or the corresponding nucleotide sequences), such as for example from human V_(H)3 sequences such as DP-47, DP-51 or DP-29, i.e. by introducing one or more camelizing substitutions (i.e. changing one or more amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of said human V_(H) domain into the amino acid residues that occur at the corresponding position in a V_(HH) domain), so as to provide the sequence of a Nanobody of the invention and/or so as to confer the favourable properties of a Nanobody to the sequence thus obtained. Again, this can generally be performed using the various methods and techniques referred to in the previous paragraph, using an amino acid sequence and/or nucleotide sequence for a human V_(H) domain as a starting point.

Some preferred, but non-limiting camelizing substitutions can be derived from Tables A-5-A-8. It will also be clear that camelizing substitutions at one or more of the Hallmark residues will generally have a greater influence on the desired properties than substitutions at one or more of the other amino acid positions, although both and any suitable combination thereof are included within the scope of the invention. For example, it is possible to introduce one or more camelizing substitutions that already confer at least some the desired properties, and then to introduce further camelizing substitutions that either further improve said properties and/or confer additional favourable properties. Again, the skilled person will generally be able to determine and select suitable camelizing substitutions or suitable combinations of camelizing substitutions, based on the disclosure herein and optionally after a limited degree of routine experimentation, which may for example involve introducing a limited number of possible camelizing substitutions and determining whether the favourable properties of Nanobodies are obtained or improved (i.e. compared to the original V_(H) domain). Generally, however, such camelizing substitutions are preferably such that the resulting an amino acid sequence at least contains (a) a Q at position 108; and/or (b) a charged amino acid or a cysteine residue at position 45 and preferably also an E at position 44, and more preferably E at position 44 and R at position 45; and/or (c) P, R or S at position 103; and optionally one or more further camelizing substitutions. More preferably, the camelizing substitutions are such that they result in a Nanobody of the invention and/or in an analog thereof (as defined herein), such as in a humanized analog and/or preferably in an analog that is as defined in the preceding paragraphs.

As will also be clear from the disclosure herein, it is also within the scope of the invention to use parts or fragments, or combinations of two or more parts or fragments, of the Nanobodies of the invention as defined herein, and in particular parts or fragments of the Nanobodies of SEQ ID NO's: [255-269]. Thus, according to one aspect of the invention, the term “Nanobody of the invention” in its broadest sense also covers such parts or fragments.

Generally, such parts or fragments of the Nanobodies of the invention (including analogs thereof) have single variable domains in which, compared to the amino acid sequence of the corresponding full length Nanobody of the invention (or analog thereof), one or more of the amino acid residues at the N-terminal end, one or more amino acid residues at the C-terminal end, one or more contiguous internal amino acid residues, or any combination thereof, have been deleted and/or removed.

The parts or fragments are preferably such that they can bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway with an affinity (suitably measured and/or expressed as a K_(D)-value (actual or apparent), a K_(A)-value (actual or apparent), a k_(on)-rate and/or a k_(off)-rate, or alternatively as an IC₅₀ value, as further described herein) that is as defined herein for the Nanobodies of the invention.

Any part or fragment is preferably such that it comprises at least 10 contiguous amino acid residues, preferably at least 20 contiguous amino acid residues, more preferably at least 30 contiguous amino acid residues, such as at least 40 contiguous amino acid residues, of the amino acid sequence of the corresponding full length Nanobody of the invention.

Also, any part or fragment is such preferably that it comprises at least one of CDR1, CDR2 and/or CDR3 or at least part thereof (and in particular at least CDR3 or at least part thereof). More preferably, any part or fragment is such that it comprises at least one of the CDR's (and preferably at least CDR3 or part thereof) and at least one other CDR (i.e. CDR1 or CDR2) or at least part thereof, preferably connected by suitable framework sequence(s) or at least part thereof. More preferably, any part or fragment is such that it comprises at least one of the CDR's (and preferably at least CDR3 or part thereof) and at least part of the two remaining CDR's, again preferably connected by suitable framework sequence(s) or at least part thereof.

According to another particularly preferred, but non-limiting aspect, such a part or fragment comprises at least CDR3, such as FR3, CDR3 and FR4 of the corresponding full length Nanobody of the invention, i.e. as for example described in the International application WO 03/050531 (Lasters et al.).

As already mentioned above, it is also possible to combine two or more of such parts or fragments (i.e. from the same or different Nanobodies of the invention), i.e. to provide an analog (as defined herein) and/or to provide further parts or fragments (as defined herein) of a Nanobody of the invention. It is for example also possible to combine one or more parts or fragments of a Nanobody of the invention with one or more parts or fragments of a human V_(H) domain.

According to one preferred aspect, the parts or fragments have a degree of sequence identity of at least 50%, preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, even more preferably at least 80%, such as at least 90%, 95% or 99% or more with one of the Nanobodies of SEQ ID NOs [255-269].

The parts and fragments, and nucleic acid sequences encoding the same, can be provided and optionally combined in any manner known per se. For example, such parts or fragments can be obtained by inserting a stop codon in a nucleic acid that encodes a full-sized Nanobody of the invention, and then expressing the nucleic acid thus obtained in a manner known per se (e.g. as described herein). Alternatively, nucleic acids encoding such parts or fragments can be obtained by suitably restricting a nucleic acid that encodes a full-sized Nanobody of the invention or by synthesizing such a nucleic acid in a manner known per se. Parts or fragments may also be provided using techniques for peptide synthesis known per se.

The invention in its broadest sense also comprises derivatives of the Nanobodies of the invention. Such derivatives can generally be obtained by modification, and in particular by chemical and/or biological (e.g. enzymatical) modification, of the Nanobodies of the invention and/or of one or more of the amino acid residues that form the Nanobodies of the invention.

Examples of such modifications, as well as examples of amino acid residues within the Nanobody sequence that can be modified in such a manner (i.e. either on the protein backbone but preferably on a side chain), methods and techniques that can be used to introduce such modifications and the potential uses and advantages of such modifications will be clear to the skilled person.

For example, such a modification may involve the introduction (e.g. by covalent linking or in an other suitable manner) of one or more functional groups, residues or moieties into or onto the Nanobody of the invention, and in particular of one or more functional groups, residues or moieties that confer one or more desired properties or functionalities to the Nanobody of the invention. Example of such functional groups will be clear to the skilled person.

For example, such modification may comprise the introduction (e.g. by covalent binding or in any other suitable manner) of one or more functional groups that increase the half-life, the solubility and/or the absorption of the Nanobody of the invention, that reduce the immunogenicity and/or the toxicity of the Nanobody of the invention, that eliminate or attenuate any undesirable side effects of the Nanobody of the invention, and/or that confer other advantageous properties to and/or reduce the undesired properties of the Nanobodies and/or single variable domains of the invention; or any combination of two or more of the foregoing. Examples of such functional groups and of techniques for introducing them will be clear to the skilled person, and can generally comprise all functional groups and techniques mentioned in the general background art cited hereinabove as well as the functional groups and techniques known per se for the modification of pharmaceutical proteins, and in particular for the modification of antibodies or antibody fragments (including ScFv's and single domain antibodies), for which reference is for example made to Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 16th ed., Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa. (1980). Such functional groups may for example be linked directly (for example covalently) to a Nanobody of the invention, or optionally via a suitable linker or spacer, as will again be clear to the skilled person.

One of the most widely used techniques for increasing the half-life and/or reducing the immunogenicity of pharmaceutical proteins comprises attachment of a suitable pharmacologically acceptable polymer, such as poly(ethyleneglycol) (PEG) or derivatives thereof (such as methoxypoly(ethyleneglycol) or mPEG). Generally, any suitable form of pegylation can be used, such as the pegylation used in the art for antibodies and antibody fragments (including but not limited to (single) domain antibodies and ScFv's); reference is made to for example Chapman, Nat. Biotechnol., 54, 531-545 (2002); by Veronese and Harris, Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev. 54, 453-456 (2003), by Harris and Chess, Nat. Rev. Drug. Discov., 2, (2003) and in WO 04/060965. Various reagents for pegylation of proteins are also commercially available, for example from Nektar Therapeutics, USA.

Preferably, site-directed pegylation is used, in particular via a cysteine-residue (see for example Yang et al., Protein Engineering, 16, 10, 761-770 (2003). For example, for this purpose, PEG may be attached to a cysteine residue that naturally occurs in a Nanobody of the invention, a Nanobody of the invention may be modified so as to suitably introduce one or more cysteine residues for attachment of PEG, or an amino acid sequence comprising one or more cysteine residues for attachment of PEG may be fused to the N- and/or C-terminus of a Nanobody of the invention, all using techniques of protein engineering known per se to the skilled person.

Preferably, for the Nanobodies and proteins of the invention, a PEG is used with a molecular weight of more than 5000, such as more than 10,000 and less than 200,000, such as less than 100,000; for example in the range of 20,000-80,000.

Another, usually less preferred modification comprises N-linked or O-linked glycosylation, usually as part of co-translational and/or post-translational modification, depending on the host cell used for expressing the Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention.

Yet another modification may comprise the introduction of one or more detectable labels or other signal-generating groups or moieties, depending on the intended use of the labelled Nanobody. Suitable labels and techniques for attaching, using and detecting them will be clear to the skilled person, and for example include, but are not limited to, fluorescent labels (such as fluorescein, isothiocyanate, rhodamine, phycoerythrin, phycocyanin, allophycocyanin, o-phthaldehyde, and fluorescamine and fluorescent metals such as ¹⁵²Eu or others metals from the lanthanide series), phosphorescent labels, chemiluminescent labels or bioluminescent labels (such as luminal, isoluminol, theromatic acridinium ester, imidazole, acridinium salts, oxalate ester, dioxetane or GFP and its analogs), radio-isotopes (such as ³H, ¹²⁵I, ³²P, ³⁵S, ¹⁴C, ⁵¹Cr, ³⁶Cl, ⁵⁷Co, ⁵⁸Co, ⁵⁹Fe, and ⁷⁵Se), metals, metal chelates or metallic cations (for example metallic cations such as ^(99m)Tc, ¹²³I, ¹¹¹In, ¹³¹I, ⁹⁷Ru, ⁶⁷Cu, ⁶⁷Ga, and ⁶⁸Ga or other metals or metallic cations that are particularly suited for use in in vivo, in vitro or in situ diagnosis and imaging, such as (¹⁵⁷Gd, ⁵⁵Mn, ¹⁶²Dy, ⁵²Cr, and ⁵⁶Fe), as well as chromophores and enzymes (such as malate dehydrogenase, staphylococcal nuclease, delta-V-steroid isomerase, yeast alcohol dehydrogenase, alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, triose phosphate isomerase, biotin-avidin peroxidase, horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, asparaginase, glucose oxidase, beta-galactosidase, ribonuclease, urease, catalase, glucose-VI-phosphate dehydrogenase, glucoamylase and acetylcholine esterase). Other suitable labels will be clear to the skilled person, and for example include moieties that can be detected using NMR or ESR spectroscopy.

Such labelled Nanobodies and single variable domains of the invention may for example be used for in vitro, in vivo or in situ assays (including immunoassays known per se such as ELISA, RIA, EIA and other “sandwich assays”, etc.) as well as in vivo diagnostic and imaging purposes, depending on the choice of the specific label.

As will be clear to the skilled person, another modification may involve the introduction of a chelating group, for example to chelate one of the metals or metallic cations referred to above. Suitable chelating groups for example include, without limitation, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).

Yet another modification may comprise the introduction of a functional group that is one part of a specific binding pair, such as the biotin-(strept)avidin binding pair. Such a functional group may be used to link the Nanobody of the invention to another protein, polypeptide or chemical compound that is bound to the other half of the binding pair, i.e. through formation of the binding pair. For example, a Nanobody of the invention may be conjugated to biotin, and linked to another protein, polypeptide, compound or carrier conjugated to avidin or streptavidin. For example, such a conjugated Nanobody may be used as a reporter, for example in a diagnostic system where a detectable signal-producing agent is conjugated to avidin or streptavidin. Such binding pairs may for example also be used to bind the Nanobody of the invention to a carrier, including carriers suitable for pharmaceutical purposes. One non-limiting example are the liposomal formulations described by Cao and Suresh, Journal of Drug Targetting, 8, 4, 257 (2000). Such binding pairs may also be used to link a therapeutically active agent to the Nanobody of the invention.

For some applications, in particular for those applications in which it is intended to kill a cell that expresses the target against which the Nanobodies of the invention are directed (e.g. in the treatment of cancer), or to reduce or slow the growth and/or proliferation such a cell, the Nanobodies of the invention may also be linked to a toxin or to a toxic residue or moiety. Examples of toxic moieties, compounds or residues which can be linked to a Nanobody of the invention to provide—for example—a cytotoxic compound will be clear to the skilled person and can for example be found in the prior art cited above and/or in the further description herein. One example is the so-called ADEPT™ technology described in WO 03/055527.

Other potential chemical and enzymatical modifications will be clear to the skilled person. Such modifications may also be introduced for research purposes (e.g. to study function-activity relationships). Reference is for example made to Lundblad and Bradshaw, Biotechnol. Appl. Biochem., 26, 143-151 (1997).

Preferably, the derivatives are such that they bind to members of the Notch signalling pathway with an affinity (suitably measured and/or expressed as a K_(D)-value (actual or apparent), a K_(A)-value (actual or apparent), a k_(on)-rate and/or a k_(off)-rate, or alternatively as an IC₅₀ value, as further described herein) that is as defined herein for the Nanobodies of the invention.

As mentioned above, the invention also relates to proteins or single variable domains that essentially consist of or comprise at least one Nanobody of the invention. By “essentially consist of” is meant that the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide of the invention either is exactly the same as the amino acid sequence of a Nanobody of the invention or corresponds to the amino acid sequence of a Nanobody of the invention which has a limited number of amino acid residues, such as 1-20 amino acid residues, for example 1-10 amino acid residues and preferably 1-6 amino acid residues, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 amino acid residues, added at the amino terminal end, at the carboxy terminal end, or at both the amino terminal end and the carboxy terminal end of the amino acid sequence of the Nanobody.

Said amino acid residues may or may not change, alter or otherwise influence the (biological) properties of the Nanobody and may or may not add further functionality to the Nanobody. For example, such amino acid residues:

-   -   can comprise an N-terminal Met residue, for example as result of         expression in a heterologous host cell or host organism.     -   may form a signal sequence or leader sequence that directs         secretion of the Nanobody from a host cell upon synthesis.         Suitable secretory leader peptides will be clear to the skilled         person, and may be as further described herein. Usually, such a         leader sequence will be linked to the N-terminus of the         Nanobody, although the invention in its broadest sense is not         limited thereto;     -   may form a sequence or signal that allows the Nanobody to be         directed towards and/or to penetrate or enter into specific         organs, tissues, cells, or parts or compartments of cells,         and/or that allows the Nanobody to penetrate or cross a         biological barrier such as a cell membrane, a cell layer such as         a layer of epithelial cells, a tumor including solid tumors, or         the blood-brain-barrier. Examples of such single variable         domains will be clear to the skilled person. Some non-limiting         examples are the small peptide vectors (“Pep-trans vectors”)         described in WO 03/026700 and in Temsamani et al., Expert Opin.         Biol. Ther., 1, 773 (2001); Temsamani and Vidal, Drug Discov.         Today, 9, 1012 (004) and Rousselle, J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther.,         296, 124-131 (2001), and the membrane translocator sequence         described by Zhao et al., Apoptosis, 8, 631-637 (2003).         C-terminal and N-terminal single variable domains for         intracellular targeting of antibody fragments are for example         described by Cardinale et al., Methods, 34, 171 (2004). Other         suitable techniques for intracellular targeting involve the         expression and/or use of so-called “intrabodies” comprising a         Nanobody of the invention, as mentioned below;     -   may form a “tag”, for example an amino acid sequence or residue         that allows or facilitates the purification of the Nanobody, for         example using affinity techniques directed against said sequence         or residue. Thereafter, said sequence or residue may be removed         (e.g. by chemical or enzymatical cleavage) to provide the         Nanobody sequence (for this purpose, the tag may optionally be         linked to the Nanobody sequence via a cleavable linker sequence         or contain a cleavable motif). Some preferred, but non-limiting         examples of such residues are multiple histidine residues,         glutathione residues and a myc-tag (see for example SEQ ID NO:31         of WO 06/12282).     -   may be one or more amino acid residues that have been         functionalized and/or that can serve as a site for attachment of         functional groups. Suitable amino acid residues and functional         groups will be clear to the skilled person and include, but are         not limited to, the amino acid residues and functional groups         mentioned herein for the derivatives of the Nanobodies of the         invention.

According to another aspect, a polypeptide of the invention comprises a Nanobody of the invention, which is fused at its amino terminal end, at its carboxy terminal end, or both at its amino terminal end and at its carboxy terminal end to at least one further amino acid sequence, i.e. so as to provide a fusion protein comprising said Nanobody of the invention and the one or more further amino acid sequences. Such a fusion will also be referred to herein as a “Nanobody fusion”.

The one or more further amino acid sequence may be any suitable and/or desired amino acid sequences. The further single variable domains may or may not change, alter or otherwise influence the (biological) properties of the Nanobody, and may or may not add further functionality to the Nanobody or the polypeptide of the invention. Preferably, the further amino acid sequence is such that it confers one or more desired properties or functionalities to the Nanobody or the polypeptide of the invention.

For example, the further amino acid sequence may also provide a second binding site, which binding site may be directed against any desired protein, polypeptide, antigen, antigenic determinant or epitope (including but not limited to the same protein, polypeptide, antigen, antigenic determinant or epitope against which the Nanobody of the invention is directed, or a different protein, polypeptide, antigen, antigenic determinant or epitope).

Example of such single variable domains will be clear to the skilled person, and may generally comprise all single variable domains that are used in peptide fusions based on conventional antibodies and fragments thereof (including but not limited to ScFv's and single domain antibodies). Reference is for example made to the review by Holliger and Hudson, Nature Biotechnology, 23, 9, 1126-1136 (2005).

For example, such an amino acid sequence may be an amino acid sequence that increases the half-life, the solubility, or the absorption, reduces the immunogenicity or the toxicity, eliminates or attenuates undesirable side effects, and/or confers other advantageous properties to and/or reduces the undesired properties of the single variable domains of the invention, compared to the Nanobody of the invention per se. Some non-limiting examples of such single variable domains are serum proteins, such as human serum albumin (see for example WO 00/27435) or haptenic molecules (for example haptens that are recognized by circulating antibodies, see for example WO 98/22141).

In particular, it has been described in the art that linking fragments of immunoglobulins (such as V_(H) domains) to serum albumin or to fragments thereof can be used to increase the half-life. Reference is for made to WO 00/27435 and WO 01/077137). According to the invention, the Nanobody of the invention is preferably either directly linked to serum albumin (or to a suitable fragment thereof) or via a suitable linker, and in particular via a suitable peptide linked so that the polypeptide of the invention can be expressed as a genetic fusion (protein). According to one specific aspect, the Nanobody of the invention may be linked to a fragment of serum albumin that at least comprises the domain III of serum albumin or part thereof. Reference is for example made to the U.S. provisional application 60/788,256 of Ablynx N.V. entitled “Albumin derived amino acid sequence, use thereof for increasing the half-life of therapeutic proteins and of other therapeutic proteins and entities, and constructs comprising the same” filed on Mar. 31, 2006 (see also PCT/EP2007/002817).

Alternatively, the further amino acid sequence may provide a second binding site or binding unit that is directed against a serum protein (such as, for example, human serum albumin or another serum protein such as IgG), so as to provide increased half-life in serum. Such single variable domains for example include the Nanobodies described below, as well as the small peptides and binding proteins described in WO 91/01743, WO 01/45746 and WO 02/076489 and the dAb's described in WO 03/002609 and WO 04/003019. Reference is also made to Harmsen et al., Vaccine, 23 (41); 4926-42, 2005, as well as to EP 0 368 684, as well as to the following the U.S. provisional applications 60/843,349 (see also PCT/EP2007/059475), 60/850,774 (see also PCT/EP2007/060849), 60/850,775 (see also PCT/EP2007/060850) by Ablynx N.V. mentioned herein and US provisional application of Ablynx N.V. entitled “Peptides capable of binding to serum proteins” filed on Dec. 5, 2006 ((see also PCT/EP2007/063348).

Such single variable domains may in particular be directed against serum albumin (and more in particular human serum albumin) and/or against IgG (and more in particular human IgG). For example, such single variable domains may be single variable domains that are directed against (human) serum albumin and single variable domains that can bind to amino acid residues on (human) serum albumin that are not involved in binding of serum albumin to FcRn (see for example WO 06/0122787) and/or single variable domains that are capable of binding to amino acid residues on serum albumin that do not form part of domain III of serum albumin (see again for example WO 06/0122787); single variable domains that have or can provide an increased half-life (see for example the U.S. provisional application 60/843,349 by Ablynx N.V. entitled “Serum albumin binding proteins with long half-lives” filed on Sep. 8, 2006; see also PCT/EP2007/059475); single variable domains against human serum albumin that are cross-reactive with serum albumin from at least one species of mammal, and in particular with at least one species of primate (such as, without limitation, monkeys from the genus Macaca (such as, and in particular, cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) and/or rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)) and baboon (Papio ursinus), reference is again made to the U.S. provisional application 60/843,349 and PCT/EP2007/059475); single variable domains that can bind to serum albumin in a pH independent manner (see for example the U.S. provisional application 60/850,774 by Ablynx N.V. entitled “Single variable domains that bind to serum proteins in a manner that is essentially independent of the pH, compounds comprising the same, and uses thereof”, filed on Oct. 11, 2006; see also and PCT/EP2007/059475) and/or single variable domains that are conditional binders (see for example the U.S. provisional application 60/850,775 by Ablynx N.V. entitled “Single variable domains that bind to a desired molecule in a conditional manner”, filed on Oct. 11, 2006; see also PCT/EP2007/060850).

According to another aspect, the one or more further single variable domains may comprise one or more parts, fragments or domains of conventional 4-chain antibodies (and in particular human antibodies) and/or of heavy chain antibodies. For example, although usually less preferred, a Nanobody of the invention may be linked to a conventional (preferably human) V_(H) or V_(L) domain or to a natural or synthetic analog of a V_(H) or V_(L) domain, again optionally via a linker sequence (including but not limited to other (single) domain antibodies, such as the dAb's described by Ward et al.).

The at least one Nanobody may also be linked to one or more (preferably human) C_(H)1, C_(H)2 and/or C_(H)3 domains, optionally via a linker sequence. For instance, a Nanobody linked to a suitable C_(H)1 domain could for example be used—together with suitable light chains—to generate antibody fragments/structures analogous to conventional Fab fragments or F(ab′)₂ fragments, but in which one or (in case of an F(ab′)₂ fragment) one or both of the conventional V_(H) domains have been replaced by a Nanobody of the invention. Also, two Nanobodies could be linked to a C_(H)3 domain (optionally via a linker) to provide a construct with increased half-life in vivo.

According to one specific aspect of a polypeptide of the invention, one or more Nanobodies of the invention may be linked (optionally via a suitable linker or hinge region) to one or more constant domains (for example, 2 or 3 constant domains that can be used as part of/to form an Fc portion), to an Fc portion and/or to one or more antibody parts, fragments or domains that confer one or more effector functions to the polypeptide of the invention and/or may confer the ability to bind to one or more Fc receptors. For example, for this purpose, and without being limited thereto, the one or more further single variable domains may comprise one or more C_(H)2 and/or C_(H)3 domains of an antibody, such as from a heavy chain antibody (as described herein) and more preferably from a conventional human 4-chain antibody; and/or may form (part of) and Fc region, for example from IgG (e.g. from IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 or IgG4), from IgE or from another human Ig such as IgA, IgD or IgM. For example, WO 94/04678 describes heavy chain antibodies comprising a Camelid V_(HH) domain or a humanized derivative thereof (i.e. a Nanobody), in which the Camelidae C_(H)2 and/or C_(H)3 domain have been replaced by human C_(H)2 and C_(H)3 domains, so as to provide an immunoglobulin that consists of 2 heavy chains each comprising a Nanobody and human C_(H)2 and C_(H)3 domains (but no C_(H)1 domain), which immunoglobulin has the effector function provided by the C_(H)2 and C_(H)3 domains and which immunoglobulin can function without the presence of any light chains. Other single variable domains that can be suitably linked to the Nanobodies of the invention so as to provide an effector function will be clear to the skilled person, and may be chosen on the basis of the desired effector function(s). Reference is for example made to WO 04/058820, WO 99/42077, WO 02/056910 and WO 05/017148, as well as the review by Holliger and Hudson, supra; and to the non-prepublished US provisional application by Ablynx N.V. entitled “Constructs comprising single variable domains and an Fc portion derived from IgE” which has a filing date of Dec. 4, 2007. Coupling of a Nanobody of the invention to an Fc portion may also lead to an increased half-life, compared to the corresponding Nanobody of the invention. For some applications, the use of an Fc portion and/or of constant domains (i.e. C_(H)2 and/or C_(H)3 domains) that confer increased half-life without any biologically significant effector function may also be suitable or even preferred. Other suitable constructs comprising one or more Nanobodies and one or more constant domains with increased half-life in vivo will be clear to the skilled person, and may for example comprise two Nanobodies linked to a C_(H)3 domain, optionally via a linker sequence. Generally, any fusion protein or derivatives with increased half-life will preferably have a molecular weight of more than 50 kD, the cut-off value for renal absorption.

In another one specific, but non-limiting, aspect, in order to form a polypeptide of the invention, one or more single variable domains of the invention may be linked (optionally via a suitable linker or hinge region) to naturally occurring, synthetic or semisynthetic constant domains (or analogs, variants, mutants, parts or fragments thereof) that have a reduced (or essentially no) tendency to self-associate into dimers (i.e. compared to constant domains that naturally occur in conventional 4-chain antibodies). Such monomeric (i.e. not self-associating) Fc chain variants, or fragments thereof, will be clear to the skilled person. For example, Helm et al., J Biol Chem 1996 271 7494, describe monomeric Fcε chain variants that can be used in the polypeptide chains of the invention.

Also, such monomeric Fc chain variants are preferably such that they are still capable of binding to the complement or the relevant Fc receptor(s) (depending on the Fc portion from which they are derived), and/or such that they still have some or all of the effector functions of the Fc portion from which they are derived (or at a reduced level still suitable for the intended use). Alternatively, in such a polypeptide chain of the invention, the monomeric Fc chain may be used to confer increased half-life upon the polypeptide chain, in which case the monomeric Fc chain may also have no or essentially no effector functions.

Bivalent/multivalent, bispecific/multispecific or biparatopic/multiparatopic single variable domains of the invention may also be linked to Fc portions, in order to provide polypeptide constructs of the type that is described in the non-prepublished US provisional application entitled “immunoglobulin constructs” filed on Dec. 4, 2007.

The further single variable domains may also form a signal sequence or leader sequence that directs secretion of the Nanobody or the polypeptide of the invention from a host cell upon synthesis (for example to provide a pre-, pro- or prepro-form of the polypeptide of the invention, depending on the host cell used to express the polypeptide of the invention).

The further amino acid sequence may also form a sequence or signal that allows the Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention to be directed towards and/or to penetrate or enter into specific organs, tissues, cells, or parts or compartments of cells, and/or that allows the Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention to penetrate or cross a biological barrier such as a cell membrane, a cell layer such as a layer of epithelial cells, a tumor including solid tumors, or the blood-brain-barrier. Suitable examples of such single variable domains will be clear to the skilled person, and for example include, but are not limited to, the “Peptrans” vectors mentioned above, the sequences described by Cardinale et al. and the antibody fragments known per se that can be used to express or produce the Nanobodies and single variable domains of the invention as so-called “intrabodies”, for example as described in WO 94/02610, WO 95/22618, U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,940, WO 03/014960, WO 99/07414; WO 05/01690; EP 1 512 696; and in Cattaneo, A. & Biocca, S. (1997) Intracellular Antibodies: Development and Applications. Landes and Springer-Verlag; and in Kontermann, Methods 34, (2004), 163-170, and the further references described therein.

For some applications, in particular for those applications in which it is intended to kill a cell that expresses the target against which the Nanobodies of the invention are directed (e.g. in the treatment of cancer), or to reduce or slow the growth and/or proliferation of such a cell, the Nanobodies of the invention may also be linked to a (cyto)toxic protein or polypeptide. Examples of such toxic proteins and single variable domains which can be linked to a Nanobody of the invention to provide—for example—a cytotoxic polypeptide of the invention will be clear to the skilled person and can for example be found in the prior art cited above and/or in the further description herein. One example is the so-called ADEPT™ technology described in WO 03/055527.

According to one preferred, but non-limiting aspect, said one or more further single variable domains comprise at least one further Nanobody, so as to provide a polypeptide of the invention that comprises at least two, such as three, four, five or more Nanobodies, in which said Nanobodies may optionally be linked via one or more linker sequences (as defined herein). Single variable domains of the invention that comprise two or more Nanobodies, of which at least one is a Nanobody of the invention, will also be referred to herein as “multivalent” single variable domains of the invention, and the Nanobodies present in such single variable domains will also be referred to herein as being in a “multivalent format”. For example a “bivalent” polypeptide of the invention comprises two Nanobodies, optionally linked via a linker sequence, whereas a “trivalent” polypeptide of the invention comprises three Nanobodies, optionally linked via two linker sequences; etc.; in which at least one of the Nanobodies present in the polypeptide, and up to all of the Nanobodies present in the polypeptide, is/are a Nanobody of the invention.

In a multivalent polypeptide of the invention, the two or more Nanobodies may be the same or different, and may be directed against the same antigen or antigenic determinant (for example against the same part(s) or epitope(s) or against different parts or epitopes) or may alternatively be directed against different antigens or antigenic determinants; or any suitable combination thereof. For example, a bivalent polypeptide of the invention may comprise (a) two identical Nanobodies; (b) a first Nanobody directed against a first antigenic determinant of a protein or antigen and a second Nanobody directed against the same antigenic determinant of said protein or antigen which is different from the first Nanobody; (c) a first Nanobody directed against a first antigenic determinant of a protein or antigen and a second Nanobody directed against another antigenic determinant of said protein or antigen; or (d) a first Nanobody directed against a first protein or antigen and a second Nanobody directed against a second protein or antigen (i.e. different from said first antigen). Similarly, a trivalent polypeptide of the invention may, for example and without being limited thereto. comprise (a) three identical Nanobodies; (b) two identical Nanobody against a first antigenic determinant of an antigen and a third Nanobody directed against a different antigenic determinant of the same antigen; (c) two identical Nanobody against a first antigenic determinant of an antigen and a third Nanobody directed against a second antigen different from said first antigen; (d) a first Nanobody directed against a first antigenic determinant of a first antigen, a second Nanobody directed against a second antigenic determinant of said first antigen and a third Nanobody directed against a second antigen different from said first antigen; or (e) a first Nanobody directed against a first antigen, a second Nanobody directed against a second antigen different from said first antigen, and a third Nanobody directed against a third antigen different from said first and second antigen.

Single variable domains of the invention that contain at least two Nanobodies, in which at least one Nanobody is directed against a first antigen (i.e. against members for the Notch signalling pathway,) and at least one Nanobody is directed against a second antigen (i.e. different from members for the Notch signalling pathway,), will also be referred to as “multispecific” single variable domains of the invention, and the Nanobodies present in such single variable domains will also be referred to herein as being in a “multispecific format”. Thus, for example, a “bispecific” polypeptide of the invention is a polypeptide that comprises at least one Nanobody directed against a first antigen (i.e. members for the Notch signalling pathway,) and at least one further Nanobody directed against a second antigen (i.e. different from members for the Notch signalling pathway,), whereas a “trispecific” polypeptide of the invention is a polypeptide that comprises at least one Nanobody directed against a first antigen (i.e. members for the Notch signalling pathway,), at least one further Nanobody directed against a second antigen (i.e. different from members for the Notch signalling pathway,) and at least one further Nanobody directed against a third antigen (i.e. different from both members for the Notch signalling pathway, and the second antigen); etc.

Accordingly, in its simplest form, a bispecific polypeptide of the invention is a bivalent polypeptide of the invention (as defined herein), comprising a first Nanobody directed against members for the Notch signalling pathway, and a second Nanobody directed against a second antigen, in which said first and second Nanobody may optionally be linked via a linker sequence (as defined herein); whereas a trispecific polypeptide of the invention in its simplest form is a trivalent polypeptide of the invention (as defined herein), comprising a first Nanobody directed against members for the Notch signalling pathway, a second Nanobody directed against a second antigen and a third Nanobody directed against a third antigen, in which said first, second and third Nanobody may optionally be linked via one or more, and in particular one and more, in particular two, linker sequences.

However, as will be clear from the description hereinabove, the invention is not limited thereto, in the sense that a multispecific polypeptide of the invention may comprise at least one Nanobody against members for the Notch signalling pathway, and any number of Nanobodies directed against one or more antigens different from members for the Notch signalling pathway.

Furthermore, although it is encompassed within the scope of the invention that the specific order or arrangement of the various Nanobodies in the single variable domains of the invention may have some influence on the properties of the final polypeptide of the invention (including but not limited to the affinity, specificity or avidity for members for the Notch signalling pathway, or against the one or more other antigens), said order or arrangement is usually not critical and may be suitably chosen by the skilled person, optionally after some limited routine experiments based on the disclosure herein. Thus, when reference is made to a specific multivalent or multispecific polypeptide of the invention, it should be noted that this encompasses any order or arrangements of the relevant Nanobodies, unless explicitly indicated otherwise.

Finally, it is also within the scope of the invention that the single variable domains of the invention contain two or more Nanobodies and one or more further single variable domains (as mentioned herein).

For multivalent and multispecific single variable domains containing one or more V_(HH) domains and their preparation, reference is also made to Conrath et al., J. Biol. Chem., Vol. 276, 10. 7346-7350, 2001; Muyldermans, Reviews in Molecular Biotechnology 74 (2001), 277-302; as well as to for example WO 96/34103 and WO 99/23221. Some other examples of some specific multispecific and/or multivalent polypeptide of the invention can be found in the applications by Ablynx N.V. referred to herein.

One preferred, but non-limiting example of a multispecific polypeptide of the invention comprises at least one Nanobody of the invention and at least one Nanobody that provides for an increased half-life. Such Nanobodies may for example be Nanobodies that are directed against a serum protein, and in particular a human serum protein, such as human serum albumin, thyroxine-binding protein, (human) transferrin, fibrinogen, an immunoglobulin such as IgG, IgE or IgM, or against one of the serum proteins listed in WO 04/003019. Of these, Nanobodies that can bind to serum albumin (and in particular human serum albumin) or to IgG (and in particular human IgG, see for example Nanobody VH-1 described in the review by Muyldermans, supra) are particularly preferred (although for example, for experiments in mice or primates, Nanobodies against or cross-reactive with mouse serum albumin (MSA) or serum albumin from said primate, respectively, can be used. However, for pharmaceutical use, Nanobodies against human serum albumin or human IgG will usually be preferred). Nanobodies that provide for increased half-life and that can be used in the single variable domains of the invention include the Nanobodies directed against serum albumin that are described in WO 04/041865, in WO 06/122787 and in the further patent applications by Ablynx N.V., such as those mentioned above.

For example, the some preferred Nanobodies that provide for increased half-life for use in the present invention include Nanobodies that can bind to amino acid residues on (human) serum albumin that are not involved in binding of serum albumin to FcRn (see for example WO 06/0122787); Nanobodies that are capable of binding to amino acid residues on serum albumin that do not form part of domain III of serum albumin (see for example WO 06/0122787); Nanobodies that have or can provide an increased half-life (see for example the U.S. provisional application 60/843,349 by Ablynx N.V mentioned herein; see also PCT/EP2007/059475); Nanobodies against human serum albumin that are cross-reactive with serum albumin from at least one species of mammal, and in particular with at least one species of primate (such as, without limitation, monkeys from the genus Macaca (such as, and in particular, cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) and/or rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta)) and baboon (Papio ursinus)) (see for example the U.S. provisional application 60/843,349 by Ablynx N.V; see also PCT/EP2007/059475)); Nanobodies that can bind to serum albumin in a pH independent manner (see for example the U.S. provisional application 60/850,774 by Ablynx N.V. mentioned herein) and/or Nanobodies that are conditional binders (see for example the U.S. provisional application 60/850,775 by Ablynx N.V.; see also PCT/EP2007/060850).

Some particularly preferred Nanobodies that provide for increased half-life and that can be used in the single variable domains of the invention include the Nanobodies ALB-1 to ALB-10 disclosed in WO 06/122787 (see Tables II and III) of which ALB-8 (SEQ ID NO: 62 in WO 06/122787) is particularly preferred.

According to a specific, but non-limiting aspect of the invention, the single variable domains of the invention contain, besides the one or more Nanobodies of the invention, at least one Nanobody against human serum albumin.

Generally, any single variable domains of the invention with increased half-life that contain one or more Nanobodies of the invention, and any derivatives of Nanobodies of the invention or of such single variable domains that have an increased half-life, preferably have a half-life that is at least 1.5 times, preferably at least 2 times, such as at least 5 times, for example at least 10 times or more than 20 times, greater than the half-life of the corresponding Nanobody of the invention per se. For example, such a derivative or single variable domains with increased half-life may have a half-life that is increased with more than 1 hours, preferably more than 2 hours, more preferably more than 6 hours, such as more than 12 hours, or even more than 24, 48 or 72 hours, compared to the corresponding Nanobody of the invention per se.

In a preferred, but non-limiting aspect of the invention, such derivatives or single variable domains may exhibit a serum half-life in human of at least about 12 hours, preferably at least 24 hours, more preferably at least 48 hours, even more preferably at least 72 hours or more. For example, such derivatives or single variable domains may have a half-life of at least 5 days (such as about 5 to 10 days), preferably at least 9 days (such as about 9 to 14 days), more preferably at least about 10 days (such as about 10 to 15 days), or at least about 11 days (such as about 11 to 16 days), more preferably at least about 12 days (such as about 12 to 18 days or more), or more than 14 days (such as about 14 to 19 days).

According to one aspect of the invention the single variable domains are capable of binding to one or more molecules which can increase the half-life of the polypeptide in vivo.

The single variable domains of the invention are stabilised in vivo and their half-life increased by binding to molecules which resist degradation and/or clearance or sequestration. Typically, such molecules are naturally occurring proteins which themselves have a long half-life in vivo.

Another preferred, but non-limiting example of a multispecific polypeptide of the invention comprises at least one Nanobody of the invention and at least one Nanobody that directs the polypeptide of the invention towards, and/or that allows the polypeptide of the invention to penetrate or to enter into specific organs, tissues, cells, or parts or compartments of cells, and/or that allows the Nanobody to penetrate or cross a biological barrier such as a cell membrane, a cell layer such as a layer of epithelial cells, a tumor including solid tumors, or the blood-brain-barrier. Examples of such Nanobodies include Nanobodies that are directed towards specific cell-surface proteins, markers or epitopes of the desired organ, tissue or cell (for example cell-surface markers associated with tumor cells), and the single-domain brain targeting antibody fragments described in WO 02/057445 and WO 06/040153, of which FC44 (SEQ ID NO: 189 of WO 06/040153) and FC5 (SEQ ID NO: 190 of WO 06/040154) are preferred examples.

In the single variable domains of the invention, the one or more Nanobodies and the one or more single variable domains may be directly linked to each other (as for example described in WO 99/23221) and/or may be linked to each other via one or more suitable spacers or linkers, or any combination thereof.

Suitable spacers or linkers for use in multivalent and multispecific single variable domains will be clear to the skilled person, and may generally be any linker or spacer used in the art to link amino acid sequences. Preferably, said linker or spacer is suitable for use in constructing proteins or single variable domains that are intended for pharmaceutical use.

Some particularly preferred spacers include the spacers and linkers that are used in the art to link antibody fragments or antibody domains. These include the linkers mentioned in the general background art cited above, as well as for example linkers that are used in the art to construct diabodies or ScFv fragments (in this respect, however, its should be noted that, whereas in diabodies and in ScFv fragments, the linker sequence used should have a length, a degree of flexibility and other properties that allow the pertinent V_(H) and V_(L) domains to come together to form the complete antigen-binding site, there is no particular limitation on the length or the flexibility of the linker used in the polypeptide of the invention, since each Nanobody by itself forms a complete antigen-binding site).

For example, a linker may be a suitable amino acid sequence, and in particular single variable domains of between 1 and 50, preferably between 1 and 30, such as between 1 and 10 amino acid residues. Some preferred examples of such single variable domains include gly-ser linkers, for example of the type (gly_(x)ser_(y))_(z), such as (for example (gly₄ser)₃ or (gly₃ser₂)₃, as described in WO 99/42077 and the GS30, GS15, GS9 and GS7 linkers described in the applications by Ablynx mentioned herein (see for example WO 06/040153 and WO 06/122825), as well as hinge-like regions, such as the hinge regions of naturally occurring heavy chain antibodies or similar sequences (such as described in WO 94/04678).

Some other particularly preferred linkers are poly-alanine (such as AAA), as well as the linkers GS30 (SEQ ID NO: 85 in WO 06/122825) and GS9 (SEQ ID NO: 84 in WO 06/122825).

Other suitable linkers generally comprise organic compounds or polymers, in particular those suitable for use in proteins for pharmaceutical use. For instance, poly(ethyleneglycol) moieties have been used to link antibody domains, see for example WO 04/081026.

It is encompassed within the scope of the invention that the length, the degree of flexibility and/or other properties of the linker(s) used (although not critical, as it usually is for linkers used in ScFv fragments) may have some influence on the properties of the final polypeptide of the invention, including but not limited to the affinity, specificity or avidity for members for the Notch signalling pathway, or for one or more of the other antigens. Based on the disclosure herein, the skilled person will be able to determine the optimal linker(s) for use in a specific polypeptide of the invention, optionally after some limited routine experiments.

For example, in multivalent single variable domains of the invention that comprise Nanobodies directed against a multimeric antigen (such as a multimeric receptor or other protein), the length and flexibility of the linker are preferably such that it allows each Nanobody of the invention present in the polypeptide to bind to the antigenic determinant on each of the subunits of the multimer. Similarly, in a multispecific polypeptide of the invention that comprises Nanobodies directed against two or more different antigenic determinants on the same antigen (for example against different epitopes of an antigen and/or against different subunits of a multimeric receptor, channel or protein), the length and flexibility of the linker are preferably such that it allows each Nanobody to bind to its intended antigenic determinant. Again, based on the disclosure herein, the skilled person will be able to determine the optimal linker(s) for use in a specific polypeptide of the invention, optionally after some limited routine experiments.

It is also within the scope of the invention that the linker(s) used confer one or more other favourable properties or functionality to the single variable domains of the invention, and/or provide one or more sites for the formation of derivatives and/or for the attachment of functional groups (e.g. as described herein for the derivatives of the Nanobodies of the invention). For example, linkers containing one or more charged amino acid residues (see Table A-2 above) can provide improved hydrophilic properties, whereas linkers that form or contain small epitopes or tags can be used for the purposes of detection, identification and/or purification. Again, based on the disclosure herein, the skilled person will be able to determine the optimal linkers for use in a specific polypeptide of the invention, optionally after some limited routine experiments.

Finally, when two or more linkers are used in the single variable domains of the invention, these linkers may be the same or different. Again, based on the disclosure herein, the skilled person will be able to determine the optimal linkers for use in a specific polypeptide of the invention, optionally after some limited routine experiments.

Usually, for easy of expression and production, a polypeptide of the invention will be a linear polypeptide. However, the invention in its broadest sense is not limited thereto. For example, when a polypeptide of the invention comprises three of more Nanobodies, it is possible to link them by use of a linker with three or more “arms”, which each “arm” being linked to a Nanobody, so as to provide a “star-shaped” construct. It is also possible, although usually less preferred, to use circular constructs.

The invention also comprises derivatives of the single variable domains of the invention, which may be essentially analogous to the derivatives of the Nanobodies of the invention, i.e. as described herein.

The invention also comprises proteins or single variable domains that “essentially consist” of a polypeptide of the invention (in which the wording “essentially consist of” has essentially the same meaning as indicated hereinabove).

According to one aspect of the invention, the polypeptide of the invention is in essentially isolated from, as defined herein.

The amino acid sequences, Nanobodies, single variable domains and nucleic acids of the invention can be prepared in a manner known per se, as will be clear to the skilled person from the further description herein. For example, the Nanobodies and polypeptides of the invention can be prepared in any manner known per se for the preparation of antibodies and in particular for the preparation of antibody fragments (including but not limited to (single) domain antibodies and ScFv fragments). Some preferred, but non-limiting methods for preparing the amino acid sequences, Nanobodies, single variable domains and nucleic acids include the methods and techniques described herein.

As will be clear to the skilled person, one particularly useful method for preparing an amino acid sequence, Nanobody and/or a polypeptide of the invention generally comprises the steps of:

-   i) the expression, in a suitable host cell or host organism (also     referred to herein as a “host of the invention”) or in another     suitable expression system of a nucleic acid that encodes said amino     acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention (also     referred to herein as a “nucleic acid of the invention”), optionally     followed by: -   ii) isolating and/or purifying the amino acid sequence, Nanobody or     polypeptide of the invention thus obtained.

In particular, such a method may comprise the steps of:

-   i) cultivating and/or maintaining a host of the invention under     conditions that are such that said host of the invention expresses     and/or produces at least one amino acid sequence, Nanobody and/or     polypeptide of the invention; optionally followed by: -   ii) isolating and/or purifying the amino acid sequence, Nanobody or     polypeptide of the invention thus obtained.

A nucleic acid of the invention can be in the form of single or double stranded DNA or RNA, and is preferably in the form of double stranded DNA. For example, the nucleotide sequences of the invention may be genomic DNA, cDNA or synthetic DNA (such as DNA with a codon usage that has been specifically adapted for expression in the intended host cell or host organism).

According to one aspect of the invention, the nucleic acid of the invention is in essentially isolated from, as defined herein.

The nucleic acid of the invention may also be in the form of, be present in and/or be part of a vector, such as for example a plasmid, cosmid or YAC, which again may be in essentially isolated form.

The nucleic acids of the invention can be prepared or obtained in a manner known per se, based on the information on the single variable domains for the single variable domains of the invention given herein, and/or can be isolated from a suitable natural source. To provide analogs, nucleotide sequences encoding naturally occurring V_(HH) domains can for example be subjected to site-directed mutagenesis, so at to provide a nucleic acid of the invention encoding said analog. Also, as will be clear to the skilled person, to prepare a nucleic acid of the invention, also several nucleotide sequences, such as at least one nucleotide sequence encoding a Nanobody and for example nucleic acids encoding one or more linkers can be linked together in a suitable manner.

Techniques for generating the nucleic acids of the invention will be clear to the skilled person and may for instance include, but are not limited to, automated DNA synthesis; site-directed mutagenesis; combining two or more naturally occurring and/or synthetic sequences (or two or more parts thereof), introduction of mutations that lead to the expression of a truncated expression product; introduction of one or more restriction sites (e.g. to create cassettes and/or regions that may easily be digested and/or ligated using suitable restriction enzymes), and/or the introduction of mutations by means of a PCR reaction using one or more “mismatched” primers, using for example a sequence of a naturally occurring form of members of the Notch signalling pathway as a template. These and other techniques will be clear to the skilled person, and reference is again made to the standard handbooks, such as Sambrook et al. and Ausubel et al., mentioned above, as well as the Examples below.

The nucleic acid of the invention may also be in the form of, be present in and/or be part of a genetic construct, as will be clear to the person skilled in the art. Such genetic constructs generally comprise at least one nucleic acid of the invention that is optionally linked to one or more elements of genetic constructs known per se, such as for example one or more suitable regulatory elements (such as a suitable promoter(s), enhancer(s), terminator(s), etc.) and the further elements of genetic constructs referred to herein. Such genetic constructs comprising at least one nucleic acid of the invention will also be referred to herein as “genetic constructs of the invention”.

The genetic constructs of the invention may be DNA or RNA, and are preferably double-stranded DNA. The genetic constructs of the invention may also be in a form suitable for transformation of the intended host cell or host organism, in a form suitable for integration into the genomic DNA of the intended host cell or in a form suitable for independent replication, maintenance and/or inheritance in the intended host organism. For instance, the genetic constructs of the invention may be in the form of a vector, such as for example a plasmid, cosmid, YAC, a viral vector or transposon. In particular, the vector may be an expression vector, i.e. a vector that can provide for expression in vitro and/or in vivo (e.g. in a suitable host cell, host organism and/or expression system).

In a preferred but non-limiting aspect, a genetic construct of the invention comprises

-   i) at least one nucleic acid of the invention; operably connected to -   ii) one or more regulatory elements, such as a promoter and     optionally a suitable terminator;     and optionally also -   iii) one or more further elements of genetic constructs known per     se;     in which the terms “regulatory element”, “promoter”, “terminator”     and “operably connected” have their usual meaning in the art (as     further described herein); and in which said “further elements”     present in the genetic constructs may for example be 3′- or 5′-UTR     sequences, leader sequences, selection markers, expression     markers/reporter genes, and/or elements that may facilitate or     increase (the efficiency of) transformation or integration. These     and other suitable elements for such genetic constructs will be     clear to the skilled person, and may for instance depend upon the     type of construct used, the intended host cell or host organism; the     manner in which the nucleotide sequences of the invention of     interest are to be expressed (e.g. via constitutive, transient or     inducible expression); and/or the transformation technique to be     used. For example, regulatory sequences, promoters and terminators     known per se for the expression and production of antibodies and     antibody fragments (including but not limited to (single) domain     antibodies and ScFv fragments) may be used in an essentially     analogous manner.

Preferably, in the genetic constructs of the invention, said at least one nucleic acid of the invention and said regulatory elements, and optionally said one or more further elements, are “operably linked” to each other, by which is generally meant that they are in a functional relationship with each other. For instance, a promoter is considered “operably linked” to a coding sequence if said promoter is able to initiate or otherwise control/regulate the transcription and/or the expression of a coding sequence (in which said coding sequence should be understood as being “under the control of” said promoter). Generally, when two nucleotide sequences are operably linked, they will be in the same orientation and usually also in the same reading frame. They will usually also be essentially contiguous, although this may also not be required.

Preferably, the regulatory and further elements of the genetic constructs of the invention are such that they are capable of providing their intended biological function in the intended host cell or host organism.

For instance, a promoter, enhancer or terminator should be “operable” in the intended host cell or host organism, by which is meant that (for example) said promoter should be capable of initiating or otherwise controlling/regulating the transcription and/or the expression of a nucleotide sequence—e.g. a coding sequence—to which it is operably linked (as defined herein).

Some particularly preferred promoters include, but are not limited to, promoters known per se for the expression in the host cells mentioned herein; and in particular promoters for the expression in the bacterial cells, such as those mentioned herein and/or those used in the Examples.

A selection marker should be such that it allows—i.e. under appropriate selection conditions—host cells and/or host organisms that have been (successfully) transformed with the nucleotide sequence of the invention to be distinguished from host cells/organisms that have not been (successfully) transformed. Some preferred, but non-limiting examples of such markers are genes that provide resistance against antibiotics (such as kanamycin or ampicillin), genes that provide for temperature resistance, or genes that allow the host cell or host organism to be maintained in the absence of certain factors, compounds and/or (food) components in the medium that are essential for survival of the non-transformed cells or organisms.

A leader sequence should be such that—in the intended host cell or host organism—it allows for the desired post-translational modifications and/or such that it directs the transcribed mRNA to a desired part or organelle of a cell. A leader sequence may also allow for secretion of the expression product from said cell. As such, the leader sequence may be any pro-, pre-, or prepro-sequence operable in the host cell or host organism. Leader sequences may not be required for expression in a bacterial cell. For example, leader sequences known per se for the expression and production of antibodies and antibody fragments (including but not limited to single domain antibodies and ScFv fragments) may be used in an essentially analogous manner.

An expression marker or reporter gene should be such that—in the host cell or host organism—it allows for detection of the expression of (a gene or nucleotide sequence present on) the genetic construct. An expression marker may optionally also allow for the localisation of the expressed product, e.g. in a specific part or organelle of a cell and/or in (a) specific cell(s), tissue(s), organ(s) or part(s) of a multicellular organism. Such reporter genes may also be expressed as a protein fusion with the amino acid sequence of the invention. Some preferred, but non-limiting examples include fluorescent proteins such as GFP.

Some preferred, but non-limiting examples of suitable promoters, terminator and further elements include those that can be used for the expression in the host cells mentioned herein; and in particular those that are suitable for expression in bacterial cells, such as those mentioned herein and/or those used in the Examples below. For some (further) non-limiting examples of the promoters, selection markers, leader sequences, expression markers and further elements that may be present/used in the genetic constructs of the invention—such as terminators, transcriptional and/or translational enhancers and/or integration factors—reference is made to the general handbooks such as Sambrook et al. and Ausubel et al. mentioned above, as well as to the examples that are given in WO 95/07463, WO 96/23810, WO 95/07463, WO 95/21191, WO 97/11094, WO 97/42320, WO 98/06737, WO 98/21355, U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,207,410, 5,693,492 and EP 1 085 089. Other examples will be clear to the skilled person. Reference is also made to the general background art cited above and the further references cited herein.

The genetic constructs of the invention may generally be provided by suitably linking the nucleotide sequence(s) of the invention to the one or more further elements described above, for example using the techniques described in the general handbooks such as Sambrook et al. and Ausubel et al., mentioned above.

Often, the genetic constructs of the invention will be obtained by inserting a nucleotide sequence of the invention in a suitable (expression) vector known per se. Some preferred, but non-limiting examples of suitable expression vectors are those used in the Examples below, as well as those mentioned herein.

The nucleic acids of the invention and/or the genetic constructs of the invention may be used to transform a host cell or host organism, i.e. for expression and/or production of the amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention. Suitable hosts or host cells will be clear to the skilled person, and may for example be any suitable fungal, prokaryotic or eukaryotic cell or cell line or any suitable fungal, prokaryotic or eukaryotic organism, for example:

-   -   a bacterial strain, including but not limited to gram-negative         strains such as strains of Escherichia coli; of Proteus, for         example of Proteus mirabilis; of Pseudomonas, for example of         Pseudomonas fluorescens; and gram-positive strains such as         strains of Bacillus, for example of Bacillus subtilis or of         Bacillus brevis; of Streptomyces, for example of Streptomyces         lividans; of Staphylococcus, for example of Staphylococcus         carnosus; and of Lactococcus, for example of Lactococcus lactis;     -   a fungal cell, including but not limited to cells from species         of Trichoderma, for example from Trichoderma reesei; of         Neurospora, for example from Neurospora crassa; of Sordaria, for         example from Sordaria macrospora; of Aspergillus, for example         from Aspergillus niger or from Aspergillus sojae; or from other         filamentous fungi;     -   a yeast cell, including but not limited to cells from species of         Saccharomyces, for example of Saccharomyces cerevisiae; of         Schizosaccharomyces, for example of Schizosaccharomyces pombe;         of Pichia, for example of Pichia pastoris or of Pichia         methanolica; of Hansenula, for example of Hansenula polymorpha;         of Kluyveromyces, for example of Kluyveromyces lactis; of         Arxula, for example of Arxula adeninivorans; of Yarrowia, for         example of Yarrowia lipolytica;     -   an amphibian cell or cell line, such as Xenopus oocytes;     -   an insect-derived cell or cell line, such as cells/cell lines         derived from lepidoptera, including but not limited to         Spodoptera SF9 and Sf21 cells or cells/cell lines derived from         Drosophila, such as Schneider and Kc cells;     -   a plant or plant cell, for example in tobacco plants; and/or     -   a mammalian cell or cell line, for example a cell or cell line         derived from a human, a cell or a cell line from mammals         including but not limited to CHO-cells, BHK-cells (for example         BHK-21 cells) and human cells or cell lines such as HeLa, COS         (for example COS-7) and PER.C6 cells;         as well as all other hosts or host cells known per se for the         expression and production of antibodies and antibody fragments         (including but not limited to (single) domain antibodies and         ScFv fragments), which will be clear to the skilled person.         Reference is also made to the general background art cited         hereinabove, as well as to for example WO 94/29457; WO 96/34103;         WO 99/42077; Frenken et al., (1998), supra; Riechmann and         Muyldermans, (1999), supra; van der Linden, (2000), supra;         Thomassen et al., (2002), supra; Joosten et al., (2003), supra;         Joosten et al., (2005), supra; and the further references cited         herein.

The amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and single variable domains of the invention can also be introduced and expressed in one or more cells, tissues or organs of a multicellular organism, for example for prophylactic and/or therapeutic purposes (e.g. as a gene therapy). For this purpose, the nucleotide sequences of the invention may be introduced into the cells or tissues in any suitable way, for example as such (e.g. using liposomes) or after they have been inserted into a suitable gene therapy vector (for example derived from retroviruses such as adenovirus, or parvoviruses such as adeno-associated virus). As will also be clear to the skilled person, such gene therapy may be performed in vivo and/or in situ in the body of a patient by administering a nucleic acid of the invention or a suitable gene therapy vector encoding the same to the patient or to specific cells or a specific tissue or organ of the patient; or suitable cells (often taken from the body of the patient to be treated, such as explanted lymphocytes, bone marrow aspirates or tissue biopsies) may be treated in vitro with a nucleotide sequence of the invention and then be suitably (re-)introduced into the body of the patient. All this can be performed using gene therapy vectors, techniques and delivery systems which are well known to the skilled person, and for example described in Culver, K. W., “Gene Therapy”, 1994, p. xii, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., Publishers, New York, N.Y.); Giordano, Nature F Medicine 2 (1996), 534-539; Schaper, Circ. Res. 79 (1996), 911-919; Anderson, Science 256 (1992), 808-813; Verma, Nature 389 (1994), 239; Isner, Lancet 348 (1996), 370-374; Muhlhauser, Circ. Res. 77 (1995), 1077-1086; Onodera, Blood 91; (1998), 30-36; Verma, Gene Ther. 5 (1998), 692-699; Nabel, Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci.: 811 (1997), 289-292; Verzeletti, Hum. Gene Ther. 9 (1998), 2243-51; Wang, Nature Medicine 2 (1996), 714-716; WO 94/29469; WO 97/00957, U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,859; US 5,5895466; or Schaper, Current Opinion in Biotechnology 7 (1996), 635-640. For example, in situ expression of ScFv fragments (Afanasieva et al., Gene Ther., 10, 1850-1859 (2003)) and of diabodies (Blanco et al., J. Immunol, 171, 1070-1077 (2003)) has been described in the art.

For expression of the Nanobodies in a cell, they may also be expressed as so-called “intrabodies”, as for example described in WO 94/02610, WO 95/22618 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,940; WO 03/014960; in Cattaneo, A. & Biocca, S. (1997) Intracellular Antibodies: Development and Applications. Landes and Springer-Verlag; and in Kontermann, Methods 34, (2004), 163-170.

The amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and single variable domains of the invention can for example also be produced in the milk of transgenic mammals, for example in the milk of rabbits, cows, goats or sheep (see for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,741,957, 6,304,489 and 6,849,992 for general techniques for introducing transgenes into mammals), in plants or parts of plants including but not limited to their leaves, flowers, fruits, seed, roots or tubers (for example in tobacco, maize, soybean or alfalfa) or in for example pupae of the silkworm Bombix mori.

Furthermore, the amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and single variable domains of the invention can also be expressed and/or produced in cell-free expression systems, and suitable examples of such systems will be clear to the skilled person. Some preferred, but non-limiting examples include expression in the wheat germ system; in rabbit reticulocyte lysates; or in the E. coli Zubay system.

As mentioned above, one of the advantages of the use of Nanobodies is that the single variable domains based thereon can be prepared through expression in a suitable bacterial system, and suitable bacterial expression systems, vectors, host cells, regulatory elements, etc., will be clear to the skilled person, for example from the references cited above. It should however be noted that the invention in its broadest sense is not limited to expression in bacterial systems.

Preferably, in the invention, an (in vivo or in vitro) expression system, such as a bacterial expression system, is used that provides the single variable domains of the invention in a form that is suitable for pharmaceutical use, and such expression systems will again be clear to the skilled person. As also will be clear to the skilled person, single variable domains of the invention suitable for pharmaceutical use can be prepared using techniques for peptide synthesis.

For production on industrial scale, preferred heterologous hosts for the (industrial) production of Nanobodies or Nanobody-containing protein therapeutics include strains of E. coli, Pichia pastoris, S. cerevisiae that are suitable for large scale expression/production/fermentation, and in particular for large scale pharmaceutical (i.e. GMP grade) expression/production/fermentation. Suitable examples of such strains will be clear to the skilled person. Such strains and production/expression systems are also made available by companies such as Biovitrum (Uppsala, Sweden).

Alternatively, mammalian cell lines, in particular Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, can be used for large scale expression/production/fermentation, and in particular for large scale pharmaceutical expression/production/fermentation. Again, such expression/production systems are also made available by some of the companies mentioned above.

The choice of the specific expression system would depend in part on the requirement for certain post-translational modifications, more specifically glycosylation. The production of a Nanobody-containing recombinant protein for which glycosylation is desired or required would necessitate the use of mammalian expression hosts that have the ability to glycosylate the expressed protein. In this respect, it will be clear to the skilled person that the glycosylation pattern obtained (i.e. the kind, number and position of residues attached) will depend on the cell or cell line that is used for the expression. Preferably, either a human cell or cell line is used (i.e. leading to a protein that essentially has a human glycosylation pattern) or another mammalian cell line is used that can provide a glycosylation pattern that is essentially and/or functionally the same as human glycosylation or at least mimics human glycosylation. Generally, prokaryotic hosts such as E. coli do not have the ability to glycosylate proteins, and the use of lower eukaryotes such as yeast usually leads to a glycosylation pattern that differs from human glycosylation. Nevertheless, it should be understood that all the foregoing host cells and expression systems can be used in the invention, depending on the desired amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide to be obtained.

Thus, according to one non-limiting aspect of the invention, the amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention is glycosylated. According to another non-limiting aspect of the invention, the amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention is non-glycosylated.

According to one preferred, but non-limiting aspect of the invention, the amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention is produced in a bacterial cell, in particular a bacterial cell suitable for large scale pharmaceutical production, such as cells of the strains mentioned above.

According to another preferred, but non-limiting aspect of the invention, the amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention is produced in a yeast cell, in particular a yeast cell suitable for large scale pharmaceutical production, such as cells of the species mentioned above.

According to yet another preferred, but non-limiting aspect of the invention, the amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention is produced in a mammalian cell, in particular in a human cell or in a cell of a human cell line, and more in particular in a human cell or in a cell of a human cell line that is suitable for large scale pharmaceutical production, such as the cell lines mentioned hereinabove.

When expression in a host cell is used to produce the amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and the single variable domains of the invention, the amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and single variable domains of the invention can be produced either intracellullarly (e.g. in the cytosol, in the periplasma or in inclusion bodies) and then isolated from the host cells and optionally further purified; or can be produced extracellularly (e.g. in the medium in which the host cells are cultured) and then isolated from the culture medium and optionally further purified. When eukaryotic host cells are used, extracellular production is usually preferred since this considerably facilitates the further isolation and downstream processing of the Nanobodies and proteins obtained. Bacterial cells such as the strains of E. coli mentioned above normally do not secrete proteins extracellularly, except for a few classes of proteins such as toxins and hemolysin, and secretory production in E. coli refers to the translocation of proteins across the inner membrane to the periplasmic space. Periplasmic production provides several advantages over cytosolic production. For example, the N-terminal amino acid sequence of the secreted product can be identical to the natural gene product after cleavage of the secretion signal sequence by a specific signal peptidase. Also, there appears to be much less protease activity in the periplasm than in the cytoplasm. In addition, protein purification is simpler due to fewer contaminating proteins in the periplasm. Another advantage is that correct disulfide bonds may form because the periplasm provides a more oxidative environment than the cytoplasm. Proteins overexpressed in E. coli are often found in insoluble aggregates, so-called inclusion bodies. These inclusion bodies may be located in the cytosol or in the periplasm; the recovery of biologically active proteins from these inclusion bodies requires a denaturation/refolding process. Many recombinant proteins, including therapeutic proteins, are recovered from inclusion bodies. Alternatively, as will be clear to the skilled person, recombinant strains of bacteria that have been genetically modified so as to secrete a desired protein, and in particular an amino acid sequence, Nanobody or a polypeptide of the invention, can be used.

Thus, according to one non-limiting aspect of the invention, the amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention is an amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide that has been produced intracellularly and that has been isolated from the host cell, and in particular from a bacterial cell or from an inclusion body in a bacterial cell. According to another non-limiting aspect of the invention, the amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention is an amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide that has been produced extracellularly, and that has been isolated from the medium in which the host cell is cultivated.

Some preferred, but non-limiting promoters for use with these host cells include,

-   -   for expression in E. coli: lac promoter (and derivatives thereof         such as the lacUV5 promoter); arabinose promoter; left—(PL) and         rightward (PR) promoter of phage lambda; promoter of the trp         operon; hybrid lac/trp promoters (tac and trc); T7 promoter         (more specifically that of T7-phage gene 10) and other T-phage         promoters; promoter of the Tn10 tetracycline resistance gene;         engineered variants of the above promoters that include one or         more copies of an extraneous regulatory operator sequence;     -   for expression in S. cerevisiae: constitutive: ADH1 (alcohol         dehydrogenase 1), ENO (enolase), CYC1 (cytochrome c iso-1),         GAPDH (glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate dehydrogenase), PGK1         (phosphoglycerate kinase), PYK1 (pyruvate kinase); regulated:         GAL1,10,7 (galactose metabolic enzymes), ADH2 (alcohol         dehydrogenase 2), PHO5 (acid phosphatase), CUP1 (copper         metallothionein); heterologous: CaMV (cauliflower mosaic virus         35S promoter);     -   for expression in Pichia pastoris: the AOX1 promoter (alcohol         oxidase I);     -   for expression in mammalian cells: human cytomegalovirus (hCMV)         immediate early enhancer/promoter; human cytomegalovirus (hCMV)         immediate early promoter variant that contains two tetracycline         operator sequences such that the promoter can be regulated by         the Tet repressor; Herpes Simplex Virus thymidine kinase (TK)         promoter; Rous Sarcoma Virus long terminal repeat (RSV LTR)         enhancer/promoter; elongation factor 1α (hEF-1α) promoter from         human, chimpanzee, mouse or rat; the SV40 early promoter; HIV-1         long terminal repeat promoter; β-actin promoter;

Some preferred, but non-limiting vectors for use with these host cells include:

-   -   vectors for expression in mammalian cells: pMAMneo (Clontech),         pcDNA3 (Invitrogen), pMC1neo (Stratagene), pSG5 (Stratagene),         EBO-pSV2-neo (ATCC 37593), pBPV-1 (8-2) (ATCC 37110),         pdBPV-MMTneo (342-12) (ATCC 37224), pRSVgpt (ATCC37199), pRSVneo         (ATCC37198), pSV2-dhfr (ATCC 37146), pUCTag (ATCC 37460) and         1ZD35 (ATCC 37565), as well as viral-based expression systems,         such as those based on adenovirus;     -   vectors for expression in bacterial cells: pET vectors (Novagen)         and pQE vectors (Qiagen);

-   vectors for expression in yeast or other fungal cells: pYES2     (Invitrogen) and Pichia expression vectors (Invitrogen);     -   vectors for expression in insect cells: pBlueBacII (Invitrogen)         and other baculovirus vectors     -   vectors for expression in plants or plant cells: for example         vectors based on cauliflower mosaic virus or tobacco mosaic         virus, suitable strains of Agrobacterium, or Ti-plasmid based         vectors.

Some preferred, but non-limiting secretory sequences for use with these host cells include:

-   -   for use in bacterial cells such as E. coli: PelB, Bla, OmpA,         OmpC, OmpF, OmpT, StII, PhoA, PhoE, MalE, Lpp, LamB, and the         like; TAT signal peptide, hemolysin C-terminal secretion signal;     -   for use in yeast: α-mating factor prepro-sequence, phosphatase         (pho1), invertase (Suc), etc.,     -   for use in mammalian cells: indigenous signal in case the target         protein is of eukaryotic origin; murine Ig η-chain V-J2-C signal         peptide; etc.

Suitable techniques for transforming a host or host cell of the invention will be clear to the skilled person and may depend on the intended host cell/host organism and the genetic construct to be used. Reference is again made to the handbooks and patent applications mentioned above.

After transformation, a step for detecting and selecting those host cells or host organisms that have been successfully transformed with the nucleotide sequence/genetic construct of the invention may be performed. This may for instance be a selection step based on a selectable marker present in the genetic construct of the invention or a step involving the detection of the amino acid sequence of the invention, e.g. using specific antibodies.

The transformed host cell (which may be in the form or a stable cell line) or host organisms (which may be in the form of a stable mutant line or strain) form further aspects of the present invention.

Preferably, these host cells or host organisms are such that they express, or are (at least) capable of expressing (e.g. under suitable conditions), an amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention (and in case of a host organism: in at least one cell, part, tissue or organ thereof). The invention also includes further generations, progeny and/or offspring of the host cell or host organism of the invention, that may for instance be obtained by cell division or by sexual or asexual reproduction.

To produce/obtain expression of the single variable domains of the invention, the transformed host cell or transformed host organism may generally be kept, maintained and/or cultured under conditions such that the (desired) amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention is expressed/produced. Suitable conditions will be clear to the skilled person and will usually depend upon the host cell/host organism used, as well as on the regulatory elements that control the expression of the (relevant) nucleotide sequence of the invention. Again, reference is made to the handbooks and patent applications mentioned above in the paragraphs on the genetic constructs of the invention.

Generally, suitable conditions may include the use of a suitable medium, the presence of a suitable source of food and/or suitable nutrients, the use of a suitable temperature, and optionally the presence of a suitable inducing factor or compound (e.g. when the nucleotide sequences of the invention are under the control of an inducible promoter); all of which may be selected by the skilled person. Again, under such conditions, the single variable domains of the invention may be expressed in a constitutive manner, in a transient manner, or only when suitably induced.

It will also be clear to the skilled person that the amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention may (first) be generated in an immature form (as mentioned above), which may then be subjected to post-translational modification, depending on the host cell/host organism used. Also, the amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention may be glycosylated, again depending on the host cell/host organism used.

The amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention may then be isolated from the host cell/host organism and/or from the medium in which said host cell or host organism was cultivated, using protein isolation and/or purification techniques known per se, such as (preparative) chromatography and/or electrophoresis techniques, differential precipitation techniques, affinity techniques (e.g. using a specific, cleavable amino acid sequence fused with the amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention) and/or preparative immunological techniques (i.e. using antibodies against the amino acid sequence to be isolated).

Generally, for pharmaceutical use, the single variable domains of the invention may be formulated as a pharmaceutical preparation or compositions comprising at least one polypeptide of the invention and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent or excipient and/or adjuvant, and optionally one or more further pharmaceutically active single variable domains and/or compounds. By means of non-limiting examples, such a formulation may be in a form suitable for oral administration, for parenteral administration (such as by intravenous, intramuscular or subcutaneous injection or intravenous infusion), for topical administration, for administration by inhalation, by a skin patch, by an implant, by a suppository, etc. Such suitable administration forms—which may be solid, semi-solid or liquid, depending on the manner of administration—as well as methods and carriers for use in the preparation thereof, will be clear to the skilled person, and are further described herein.

Thus, in a further aspect, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition that contains at least one amino acid of the invention, at least one Nanobody of the invention or at least one polypeptide of the invention and at least one suitable carrier, diluent or excipient (i.e. suitable for pharmaceutical use), and optionally one or more further active substances.

Generally, the amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and single variable domains of the invention can be formulated and administered in any suitable manner known per se, for which reference is for example made to the general background art cited above (and in particular to WO 04/041862, WO 04/041863, WO 04/041865 and WO 04/041867) as well as to the standard handbooks, such as Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18^(th) Ed., Mack Publishing Company, USA (1990) or Remington, the Science and Practice of Pharmacy, 21st Edition, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins (2005).

For example, the amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and single variable domains of the invention may be formulated and administered in any manner known per se for conventional antibodies and antibody fragments (including ScFv's and diabodies) and other pharmaceutically active proteins. Such formulations and methods for preparing the same will be clear to the skilled person, and for example include preparations suitable for parenteral administration (for example intravenous, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraluminal, intra-arterial or intrathecal administration) or for topical (i.e. transdermal or intradermal) administration.

Preparations for parenteral administration may for example be sterile solutions, suspensions, dispersions or emulsions that are suitable for infusion or injection. Suitable carriers or diluents for such preparations for example include, without limitation, sterile water and aqueous buffers and solutions such as physiological phosphate-buffered saline, Ringer's solutions, dextrose solution, and Hank's solution; water oils; glycerol; ethanol; glycols such as propylene glycol or as well as mineral oils, animal oils and vegetable oils, for example peanut oil, soybean oil, as well as suitable mixtures thereof. Usually, aqueous solutions or suspensions will be preferred.

The amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and single variable domains of the invention can also be administered using gene therapy methods of delivery. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,346, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. Using a gene therapy method of delivery, primary cells transfected with the gene encoding an amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention can additionally be transfected with tissue specific promoters to target specific organs, tissue, grafts, tumors, or cells and can additionally be transfected with signal and stabilization sequences for subcellularly localized expression.

Thus, the amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and single variable domains of the invention may be systemically administered, e.g., orally, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle such as an inert diluent or an assimilable edible carrier. They may be enclosed in hard or soft shell gelatin capsules, may be compressed into tablets, or may be incorporated directly with the food of the patient's diet. For oral therapeutic administration, the amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and single variable domains of the invention may be combined with one or more excipients and used in the form of ingestible tablets, buccal tablets, troches, capsules, elixirs, suspensions, syrups, wafers, and the like. Such compositions and preparations should contain at least 0.1% of the amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention. Their percentage in the compositions and preparations may, of course, be varied and may conveniently be between about 2 to about 60% of the weight of a given unit dosage form. The amount of the amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention in such therapeutically useful compositions is such that an effective dosage level will be obtained.

The tablets, troches, pills, capsules, and the like may also contain the following: binders such as gum tragacanth, acacia, corn starch or gelatin; excipients such as dicalcium phosphate; a disintegrating agent such as corn starch, potato starch, alginic acid and the like; a lubricant such as magnesium stearate; and a sweetening agent such as sucrose, fructose, lactose or aspartame or a flavoring agent such as peppermint, oil of wintergreen, or cherry flavoring may be added. When the unit dosage form is a capsule, it may contain, in addition to materials of the above type, a liquid carrier, such as a vegetable oil or a polyethylene glycol. Various other materials may be present as coatings or to otherwise modify the physical form of the solid unit dosage form. For instance, tablets, pills, or capsules may be coated with gelatin, wax, shellac or sugar and the like. A syrup or elixir may contain the amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and single variable domains of the invention, sucrose or fructose as a sweetening agent, methyl and propylparabens as preservatives, a dye and flavoring such as cherry or orange flavor. Of course, any material used in preparing any unit dosage form should be pharmaceutically acceptable and substantially non-toxic in the amounts employed. In addition, the amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and single variable domains of the invention may be incorporated into sustained-release preparations and devices.

Preparations and formulations for oral administration may also be provided with an enteric coating that will allow the constructs of the invention to resist the gastric environment and pass into the intestines. More generally, preparations and formulations for oral administration may be suitably formulated for delivery into any desired part of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, suitable suppositories may be used for delivery into the gastrointestinal tract.

The amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and single variable domains of the invention may also be administered intravenously or intraperitoneally by infusion or injection. Solutions of the amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and single variable domains of the invention or their salts can be prepared in water, optionally mixed with a nontoxic surfactant. Dispersions can also be prepared in glycerol, liquid polyethylene glycols, triacetin, and mixtures thereof and in oils. Under ordinary conditions of storage and use, these preparations contain a preservative to prevent the growth of microorganisms.

The pharmaceutical dosage forms suitable for injection or infusion can include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions or sterile powders comprising the active ingredient which are adapted for the extemporaneous preparation of sterile injectable or infusible solutions or dispersions, optionally encapsulated in liposomes. In all cases, the ultimate dosage form must be sterile, fluid and stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage. The liquid carrier or vehicle can be a solvent or liquid dispersion medium comprising, for example, water, ethanol, a polyol (for example, glycerol, propylene glycol, liquid polyethylene glycols, and the like), vegetable oils, nontoxic glyceryl esters, and suitable mixtures thereof. The proper fluidity can be maintained, for example, by the formation of liposomes, by the maintenance of the required particle size in the case of dispersions or by the use of surfactants. The prevention of the action of microorganisms can be brought about by various antibacterial and antifungal agents, for example, parabens, chlorobutanol, phenol, sorbic acid, thimerosal, and the like. In many cases, it will be preferable to include isotonic agents, for example, sugars, buffers or sodium chloride. Prolonged absorption of the injectable compositions can be brought about by the use in the compositions of agents delaying absorption, for example, aluminum monostearate and gelatin.

Sterile injectable solutions are prepared by incorporating the amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and single variable domains of the invention in the required amount in the appropriate solvent with various of the other ingredients enumerated above, as required, followed by filter sterilization. In the case of sterile powders for the preparation of sterile injectable solutions, the preferred methods of preparation are vacuum drying and the freeze drying techniques, which yield a powder of the active ingredient plus any additional desired ingredient present in the previously sterile-filtered solutions.

For topical administration, the amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and single variable domains of the invention may be applied in pure form, i.e., when they are liquids. However, it will generally be desirable to administer them to the skin as compositions or formulations, in combination with a dermatologically acceptable carrier, which may be a solid or a liquid.

Useful solid carriers include finely divided solids such as talc, clay, microcrystalline cellulose, silica, alumina and the like. Useful liquid carriers include water, hydroxyalkyls or glycols or water-alcohol/glycol blends, in which the amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and single variable domains of the invention can be dissolved or dispersed at effective levels, optionally with the aid of non-toxic surfactants. Adjuvants such as fragrances and additional antimicrobial agents can be added to optimize the properties for a given use. The resultant liquid compositions can be applied from absorbent pads, used to impregnate bandages and other dressings, or sprayed onto the affected area using pump-type or aerosol sprayers.

Thickeners such as synthetic polymers, fatty acids, fatty acid salts and esters, fatty alcohols, modified celluloses or modified mineral materials can also be employed with liquid carriers to form spreadable pastes, gels, ointments, soaps, and the like, for application directly to the skin of the user.

Examples of useful dermatological compositions which can be used to deliver the amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and single variable domains of the invention to the skin are known to the art; for example, see Jacquet et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,608,392), Geria (U.S. Pat. No. 4,992,478), Smith et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,559,157) and Wortzman (U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,508).

Useful dosages of the amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and single variable domains of the invention can be determined by comparing their in vitro activity, and in vivo activity in animal models. Methods for the extrapolation of effective dosages in mice, and other animals, to humans are known to the art; for example, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,949.

Generally, the concentration of the amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and single variable domains of the invention in a liquid composition, such as a lotion, will be from about 0.1-25 wt-%, preferably from about 0.5-10 wt-%. The concentration in a semi-solid or solid composition such as a gel or a powder will be about 0.1-5 wt-%, preferably about 0.5-2.5 wt-%.

The amount of the amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and single variable domains of the invention required for use in treatment will vary not only with the particular amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide selected but also with the route of administration, the nature of the condition being treated and the age and condition of the patient and will be ultimately at the discretion of the attendant physician or clinician. Also the dosage of the amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and single variable domains of the invention varies depending on the target cell, tumor, tissue, graft, or organ.

The desired dose may conveniently be presented in a single dose or as divided doses administered at appropriate intervals, for example, as two, three, four or more sub-doses per day. The sub-dose itself may be further divided, e.g., into a number of discrete loosely spaced administrations; such as multiple inhalations from an insufflator or by application of a plurality of drops into the eye.

An administration regimen could include long-term, daily treatment. By “long-term” is meant at least two weeks and preferably, several weeks, months, or years of duration. Necessary modifications in this dosage range may be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art using only routine experimentation given the teachings herein. See Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (Martin, E. W., ed. 4), Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa. The dosage can also be adjusted by the individual physician in the event of any complication.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for the prevention and/or treatment of at least one cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and immunomodulatory diseases, said method comprising administering, to a subject in need thereof, a pharmaceutically active amount of an amino acid sequence of the invention, of a Nanobody of the invention, of a polypeptide of the invention, and/or of a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same.

In the context of the present invention, the term “prevention and/or treatment” not only comprises preventing and/or treating the disease, but also generally comprises preventing the onset of the disease, slowing or reversing the progress of disease, preventing or slowing the onset of one or more symptoms associated with the disease, reducing and/or alleviating one or more symptoms associated with the disease, reducing the severity and/or the duration of the disease and/or of any symptoms associated therewith and/or preventing a further increase in the severity of the disease and/or of any symptoms associated therewith, preventing, reducing or reversing any physiological damage caused by the disease, and generally any pharmacological action that is beneficial to the patient being treated.

The subject to be treated may be any warm-blooded animal, but is in particular a mammal, and more in particular a human being. As will be clear to the skilled person, the subject to be treated will in particular be a person suffering from, or at risk of, the diseases and disorders mentioned herein.

The invention relates to a method for the prevention and/or treatment of at least one disease or disorder that is associated with members for the Notch signalling pathway, with its biological or pharmacological activity, and/or with the biological pathways or signalling in which members of the Notch signalling pathway is involved, said method comprising administering, to a subject in need thereof, a pharmaceutically active amount of an amino acid sequence of the invention, of a Nanobody of the invention, of a polypeptide of the invention, and/or of a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same. In particular, the invention relates to a method for the prevention and/or treatment of at least one disease or disorder that can be treated by modulating members for the Notch signalling pathway, its biological or pharmacological activity, and/or the biological pathways or signalling in which members of the Notch signalling pathway is involved, said method comprising administering, to a subject in need thereof, a pharmaceutically active amount of an amino acid sequence of the invention, of a Nanobody of the invention, of a polypeptide of the invention, and/or of a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same. In particular, said pharmaceutically effective amount may be an amount that is sufficient to modulate members for the Notch signalling pathway, its biological or pharmacological activity, and/or the biological pathways or signalling in which members of the Notch signalling pathway is involved; and/or an amount that provides a level of the amino acid sequence of the invention, of a Nanobody of the invention, of a polypeptide of the invention in the circulation that is sufficient to modulate members for the Notch signalling pathway, its biological or pharmacological activity, and/or the biological pathways or signalling in which members of the Notch signalling pathway is involved.

The invention furthermore relates to a method for the prevention and/or treatment of at least one disease or disorder that can be prevented and/or treated by administering an amino acid sequence of the invention, a Nanobody of the invention or a polypeptide of the invention to a patient, said method comprising administering, to a subject in need thereof, a pharmaceutically active amount of an amino acid sequence of the invention, of a Nanobody of the invention, of a polypeptide of the invention, and/or of a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same.

More in particular, the invention relates to a method for the prevention and/or treatment of at least one disease or disorder chosen from the group consisting of the diseases and disorders listed herein, said method comprising administering, to a subject in need thereof, a pharmaceutically active amount of an amino acid sequence of the invention, of a Nanobody of the invention, of a polypeptide of the invention, and/or of a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for immunotherapy, and in particular for passive immunotherapy, which method comprises administering, to a subject suffering from or at risk of the diseases and disorders mentioned herein, a pharmaceutically active amount of an amino acid sequence of the invention, of a Nanobody of the invention, of a polypeptide of the invention, and/or of a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same.

In the above methods, the amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and/or single variable domains of the invention and/or the compositions comprising the same can be administered in any suitable manner, depending on the specific pharmaceutical formulation or composition to be used. Thus, the amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and/or single variable domains of the invention and/or the compositions comprising the same can for example be administered orally, intraperitoneally (e.g. intravenously, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or via any other route of administration that circumvents the gastrointestinal tract), intranasally, transdermally, topically, by means of a suppository, by inhalation, again depending on the specific pharmaceutical formulation or composition to be used. The clinician will be able to select a suitable route of administration and a suitable pharmaceutical formulation or composition to be used in such administration, depending on the disease or disorder to be prevented or treated and other factors well known to the clinician.

The amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and/or single variable domains of the invention and/or the compositions comprising the same are administered according to a regime of treatment that is suitable for preventing and/or treating the disease or disorder to be prevented or treated. The clinician will generally be able to determine a suitable treatment regimen, depending on factors such as the disease or disorder to be prevented or treated, the severity of the disease to be treated and/or the severity of the symptoms thereof, the specific amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention to be used, the specific route of administration and pharmaceutical formulation or composition to be used, the age, gender, weight, diet, general condition of the patient, and similar factors well known to the clinician.

Generally, the treatment regimen will comprise the administration of one or more amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and/or single variable domains of the invention, or of one or more compositions comprising the same, in one or more pharmaceutically effective amounts or doses. The specific amount(s) or doses to be administered can be determined by the clinician, again based on the factors cited above.

Generally, for the prevention and/or treatment of the diseases and disorders mentioned herein and depending on the specific disease or disorder to be treated, the potency of the specific amino acid sequence, Nanobody and polypeptide of the invention to be used, the specific route of administration and the specific pharmaceutical formulation or composition used, the amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and single variable domains of the invention will generally be administered in an amount between 1 gram and 0.01 microgram per kg body weight per day, preferably between 0.1 gram and 0.1 microgram per kg body weight per day, such as about 1, 10, 100 or 1000 microgram per kg body weight per day, either continuously (e.g. by infusion), as a single daily dose or as multiple divided doses during the day. The clinician will generally be able to determine a suitable daily dose, depending on the factors mentioned herein. It will also be clear that in specific cases, the clinician may choose to deviate from these amounts, for example on the basis of the factors cited above and his expert judgment. Generally, some guidance on the amounts to be administered can be obtained from the amounts usually administered for comparable conventional antibodies or antibody fragments against the same target administered via essentially the same route, taking into account however differences in affinity/avidity, efficacy, biodistribution, half-life and similar factors well known to the skilled person.

Usually, in the above method, a single amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention will be used. It is however within the scope of the invention to use two or more amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and/or single variable domains of the invention in combination.

The Nanobodies, single variable domains of the invention may also be used in combination with one or more further pharmaceutically active compounds or principles, i.e. as a combined treatment regimen, which may or may not lead to a synergistic effect. Again, the clinician will be able to select such further compounds or principles, as well as a suitable combined treatment regimen, based on the factors cited above and his expert judgement.

In particular, the amino acid sequences, Nanobodies and single variable domains of the invention may be used in combination with other pharmaceutically active compounds or principles that are or can be used for the prevention and/or treatment of the diseases and disorders cited herein, as a result of which a synergistic effect may or may not be obtained. Examples of such compounds and principles, as well as routes, methods and pharmaceutical formulations or compositions for administering them will be clear to the clinician.

When two or more substances or principles are to be used as part of a combined treatment regimen, they can be administered via the same route of administration or via different routes of administration, at essentially the same time or at different times (e.g. essentially simultaneously, consecutively, or according to an alternating regime). When the substances or principles are to be administered simultaneously via the same route of administration, they may be administered as different pharmaceutical formulations or compositions or part of a combined pharmaceutical formulation or composition, as will be clear to the skilled person.

Also, when two or more active substances or principles are to be used as part of a combined treatment regimen, each of the substances or principles may be administered in the same amount and according to the same regimen as used when the compound or principle is used on its own, and such combined use may or may not lead to a synergistic effect. However, when the combined use of the two or more active substances or principles leads to a synergistic effect, it may also be possible to reduce the amount of one, more or all of the substances or principles to be administered, while still achieving the desired therapeutic action. This may for example be useful for avoiding, limiting or reducing any unwanted side-effects that are associated with the use of one or more of the substances or principles when they are used in their usual amounts, while still obtaining the desired pharmaceutical or therapeutic effect.

The effectiveness of the treatment regimen used according to the invention may be determined and/or followed in any manner known per se for the disease or disorder involved, as will be clear to the clinician. The clinician will also be able, where appropriate and on a case-by-case basis, to change or modify a particular treatment regimen, so as to achieve the desired therapeutic effect, to avoid, limit or reduce unwanted side-effects, and/or to achieve an appropriate balance between achieving the desired therapeutic effect on the one hand and avoiding, limiting or reducing undesired side effects on the other hand.

Generally, the treatment regimen will be followed until the desired therapeutic effect is achieved and/or for as long as the desired therapeutic effect is to be maintained. Again, this can be determined by the clinician.

In another aspect, the invention relates to the use of an amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention in the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for prevention and/or treatment of at least one cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and immunomodulatory diseases; and/or for use in one or more of the methods of treatment mentioned herein.

The subject to be treated may be any warm-blooded animal, but is in particular a mammal, and more in particular a human being. As will be clear to the skilled person, the subject to be treated will in particular be a person suffering from, or at risk of, the diseases and disorders mentioned herein.

The invention also relates to the use of an amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention in the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention and/or treatment of at least one disease or disorder that can be prevented and/or treated by administering an amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention to a patient.

More in particular, the invention relates to the use of an amino acid sequence, Nanobody or polypeptide of the invention in the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the prevention and/or treatment of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and immunomodulatory diseases, and in particular for the prevention and treatment of one or more of the diseases and disorders listed herein.

Again, in such a pharmaceutical composition, the one or more amino acid sequences, Nanobodies or single variable domains of the invention may also be suitably combined with one or more other active principles, such as those mentioned herein.

Finally, although the use of the Nanobodies of the invention (as defined herein) and of the single variable domains of the invention is much preferred, it will be clear that on the basis of the description herein, the skilled person will also be able to design and/or generate, in an analogous manner, other in particular (single) domain antibodies against members for the Notch signalling pathway, as well as single variable domains comprising such (single) domain antibodies.

For example, it will also be clear to the skilled person that it may be possible to “graft” one or more of the CDR's mentioned above for the Nanobodies of the invention onto such (single) domain antibodies or other protein scaffolds, including but not limited to human scaffolds or non-immunoglobulin scaffolds. Suitable scaffolds and techniques for such CDR grafting will be clear to the skilled person and are well known in the art, see for example U.S. Pat. No. 7,180,370, WO 01/27160, EP 0 605 522, EP 0 460 167, U.S. Pat. No. 7,054,297, Nicaise et al., Protein Science (2004), 13:1882-1891; Ewert et al., Methods, 2004 October; 34(2):184-199; Kettleborough et al., Protein Eng. 1991 October; 4(7): 773-783; O'Brien and Jones, Methods Mol. Biol. 2003:207:81-100; Skerra, J. Mol. Recognit. 2000:13:167-187, and Saerens et al., J. Mol. Biol. 2005 Sep. 23; 352 (3):597-607, and the further references cited therein. For example, techniques known per se for grafting mouse or rat CDR's onto human frameworks and scaffolds can be used in an analogous manner to provide chimeric proteins comprising one or more of the CDR's of the Nanobodies of the invention and one or more human framework regions or sequences.

It should also be noted that, when the Nanobodies of the inventions contain one or more other CDR sequences than the preferred CDR sequences mentioned above, these CDR sequences can be obtained in any manner known per se, for example from Nanobodies (preferred), V_(H) domains from conventional antibodies (and in particular from human antibodies), heavy chain antibodies, conventional 4-chain antibodies (such as conventional human 4-chain antibodies) or other immunoglobulin sequences directed against members for the Notch signalling pathway. Such immunoglobulin sequences directed against members of the Notch signalling pathway can be generated in any manner known per se, as will be clear to the skilled person, i.e. by immunization with members of the Notch signalling pathway or by screening a suitable library of immunoglobulin sequences with members for the Notch signalling pathway, or any suitable combination thereof. Optionally, this may be followed by techniques such as random or site-directed mutagenesis and/or other techniques for affinity maturation known per se. Suitable techniques for generating such immunoglobulin sequences will be clear to the skilled person, and for example include the screening techniques reviewed by Hoogenboom, Nature Biotechnology, 23, 9, 1105-1116 (2005) Other techniques for generating immunoglobulins against a specified target include for example the Nanoclone technology (as for example described in the published US patent application 2006-0211088), so-called SLAM technology (as for example described in the European patent application 0 542 810), the use of transgenic mice expressing human immunoglobulins or the well-known hybridoma techniques (see for example Larrick et al, Biotechnology, Vol. 7, 1989, p. 934). All these techniques can be used to generate immunoglobulins against members for the Notch signalling pathway, and the CDR's of such immunoglobulins can be used in the Nanobodies of the invention, i.e. as outlined above. For example, the sequence of such a CDR can be determined, synthesized and/or isolated, and inserted into the sequence of a Nanobody of the invention (e.g. so as to replace the corresponding native CDR), all using techniques known per se such as those described herein, or Nanobodies of the invention containing such CDR's (or nucleic acids encoding the same) can be synthesized de novo, again using the techniques mentioned herein.

Further uses of the amino acid sequences, Nanobodies, single variable domains, nucleic acids, genetic constructs and hosts and host cells of the invention will be clear to the skilled person based on the disclosure herein. For example, and without limitation, the single variable domains of the invention can be linked to a suitable carrier or solid support so as to provide a medium than can be used in a manner known per se to purify members of the Notch signalling pathway from compositions and preparations comprising the same. Derivatives of the single variable domains of the invention that comprise a suitable detectable label can also be used as markers to determine (qualitatively or quantitatively) the presence of members of the Notch signalling pathway in a composition or preparation or as a marker to selectively detect the presence of members of the Notch signalling pathway on the surface of a cell or tissue (for example, in combination with suitable cell sorting techniques).

The invention will now be further described by means of the following non-limiting examples and figures:

Figures:

FIG. 1: The results in FIG. 1 show that most Nanobodies of Table B-1 were able to bind to human Notch-1 in a concentration dependent manner.

FIG. 2: Binding assay of Nanobodies selected for Jagged-1. All Nanobodies were able to bind in a concentration dependent matter. An irrelevant Nanobody is not able to bind to Jagged-1.

FIG. 3: Competition assay of Nanobodies selected for Jagged-1. Nanobody 178C4 is able to compete for Jagged-1 binding to Notch-1 in a concentration dependent matter. An irrelevant Nanobody is not able to compete for Jagged-1 binding to Notch-1. Non-biotinylated Jagged-1 is also able to compete for biot-Jagged-1 binding to Notch-1.

FIG. 4: Binding assay of Nanobodies selected for DLL4. All Nanobodies are able to bind in a concentration dependent matter. An irrelevant Nanobody is not able to bind to DLL4.

FIG. 5: Competition assay of Nanobodies selected for DLL4. Some Nanobodies are able to compete for DLL4 to Notch-1 in a concentration dependent matter. An irrelevant Nanobody is not able to compete for DLL4 binding to Notch-1.

FIG. 6: Binding assay to CD36-Fc (FIG. 6 a), human Notch-2 (FIG. 6 b), human Notch-1 (FIG. 6 c), and human Notch-3 (FIG. 6 d).

EXPERIMENTAL PART Example 1 Generation of Nanobodies Specifically Binding to Human Notch-1

1.1. Animal Immunizations

Two llamas—lama glama (designated “Llama 161” and “Llama 166”) were immunized by intramuscular injection in the neck at 2 different spots with 2 boosts of antigen cocktail preparations comprising 40 microgram of recombinant human Notch-1/Fc Chimera (R&D Systems Cat No 3647-TK) at day 0 and day 7 and 4 boosts of the same cocktail comprising 20 microgram of recombinant human Notch-1/Fc Chimera at day 14, 21, 28 and 35. The antigen cocktail was prepared by a) mixing above amounts of recombinant human Notch-1/Fc Chimera in a total of 2 ml PBS; and b) adding this mixture very slowly to 2.5 ml of the adjuvants Stimune (Stimune, previously known as Specol; Cedi-diagnostics, Lelystad, The Netherlands); and c) mixing vigorously for 1 minute. Blood is collected from these animals 4 and 8 days after boost 6. In addition, approximately 1 g of lymph node is collected from each animal 5 days after boost 6.

1.2. Library Construction

The library was prepared according to a standard protocol known to the skilled person in the art. In short, peripheral blood mononuclear cells are prepared from blood samples using Ficoll-Hypaque according to the manufacturer's instructions. Next, total RNA was extracted from these cells and lymph node tissue and used as starting material for RT-PCR to amplify VHH fragments encoding gene fragments. Then, a ligation was prepared between VHH fragments prepared from an immunized animal (330 ng cDNA per library) and pAX50 vector digested with BstEII/SfiI/XhoI (pAX50, an expression vector, is used that is derived from pUC119 which contains the LacZ promoter, a coliphage pIII protein coding sequence, a resistance gene for ampicillin or carbenicillin, a multicloning site and the gen3 leader sequence. In frame with the Nanobody coding sequence, the vector codes for a C-terminal c-myc tag and a His6× tag). Then, electrocompetent E. coli TG1 cells were transformed with ligated vectors containing the various VHH sequences by electroporation, grown at suitable conditions, prepared for storage. So obtained libraries comprising phage particles were stored at −80 degrees Celsius.

1.3. Selections of Human Notch-1 Binding Nanobodies

1^(st) Round of Selection:

The above prepared library was rescued, i.e. the above prepared phage particles containing the VHH sequences were released upon maturation of the TG1 E. coli cells by infection with helper phage VCSM13 (Stratagene) with a multiplicity of infection of 10 (i.e. each bacterial cell is infected with no more than 10 helper phage particles. Rescued phage libraries designated as “library 161” (derived from “Llama 161”) and “library 166” (derived from “Llama 166”) were used for selections on recombinant human Notch-1/Fc Chimera (R&D Systems Cat No 3647-TK)—hereinafter “Notch-1/Fc”. Notch-1/Fc was immobilized directly on Maxisorp 96 well microtiter plates (Nunc) at 5 microgram/ml and 0.5 microgram/ml. In addition, a control without Notch-1/Fc was treated in parallel to the Notch/Fc incubated wells. To minimize the number of phage binding to the Fc portion of Notch-1/Fc the phage was pre-incubated with 150 microgram/ml of human IgG for 1 h at room temperature (hereinafter “RT”). Following incubation with the rescued phage libraries 161 and 166 (100 microliter of 10 microliter library in 2% marvel PBS for 2 h at RT), extensive washing (PBS in 0.05% Tween 20), bound phage was eluted aspecific with 1 mg/ml freshly prepared trypsin in PBS. The eluted phages of library 161 and 166 were amplified and the 5 microgram/ml Notch-1/Fc fractions of both libraries pooled and applied to a second round of selection on 5 microgram/ml, 0.5 microgram/ml, 0 microgram/ml (control) immobilized Notch-1/Fc. To minimize the number of phage binding to the Fc-portion of Notch-1/Fc the phage is pre-incubated with 150 microgram/ml human IgG. Individual colonies obtained from the eluted phage pools (obtained from all 4 conditions, i.e. both libraries and both concentrations of Notch-1/Fc) were grown and induced with IPTG for Nanobodies-expression and extraction (periplasmic extracts) according to standard methods.

1.4. Screening for Human Notch-1 Binding Nanobodies

In order to identify Nanobodies with binding specificity to human Notch-1, individual clones picked from above selected Nanobodies are further tested in an ELISA binding assay setup. In short, 2 microgram/ml of human Notch-1/Fc was immobilized on Maxisorp ELISA plates (Nunc) in PBS over night (O/N) at 4 degrees Celsius (4° C.). After washing the plate was blocked using 4% Marvel skimmed milk in PBS for 30 minutes on shaker. A concentration series of Nanobody (1 to 1000 nM) was added in 100 microliter 2% Marvell/PBS and incubated for 1 h on shaker. After washing human Notch-1 binding Nanobodies were detected with 100 microliter 1:5000 Mouse-anti-MycTag in 2% Marvell/PBS and 100 microliter 1:5000 DAMPO in 2% Marvell/PBS for 1 h on shaker. PO was detected with 100 microliter OPD and stopped with 50 microliter H2SO4. Quantification was performed at 490 nm in a plate reader. The results in FIG. 1 show that most Nanobodies of Table B-1 were able to bind to human Notch-1 in a concentration dependent manner.

TABLE B-1 Selected Nanobodies against human Notch-1. SEQ ID Name NO: Sequence >180A4 339 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGRTSSPIAMGWFRQAPGKEREFVSGI TWSGAYTHYANSVKGRFTISRDSAKNTVYLQMNSLKPEDTAVYYCTTATNST TGYDYWGQGTQVTVSS >180B1 340 EVQLVESGGDLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGTVFSNNDMGWSRQAPGKERELVAS FTSGGNTVYADAAKGRFTISRDNSKNTVYLEMNSLKPDDTAVYYCRVVDLLR GKLYWGQGTQVTVSS >180B3 341 EVQLVESGGDLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGTVFSNNDMGWSRQAPGKERELVAS FTSGGNTVYADAAKGRFTISRDNSKNTVYLEMNSLKPDDTAVYYCRVVDLLR GKLYWGQGTQVTVSS >180C1 342 EVQLVESGGDLVQPGGSLRLSCAASRTVFSISDMGWSRQAPGKERELVASI SSDNYTVYADAAKGRFTISRDNSKNTVYLEMNSLKPDDTAVYYCRVVDPLR GKLYWGQGTQVTVSS >180C7 343 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCAASGGIFGINAVAWYRQAPGKERDWVALI VGEAITRYTDSVSGRFTISRDNAKNTVYLEMNSLKPDDTAVYYCRVVDPLRG KLYWGQGTQVTVSS >180F8 344 EVQLVESGGDLVQPGGSLRLSCTTSGTVFSINDMGWSRQAPGKGRELVASI SSEGTTIYADAAKGRFTISRDNSKNTVYLEMNSLKPDDTAVYYCRVVDPLRG KLYWGQGTQVTVSS >180F4 345 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGDSLRLSCAVSGGSFSSYTMGWVRQAPGKEREAVAS IWRSGGNTYYADSVKGRFTVSRDNAKHTVYLQMNSLKPEDTAVYYCAAASF APGSRGYDYWGQGTQVTVSS >180F5 346 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGRTSSPIAMGWFRQAPGKEREFVSGI TWSGAYTHYANSVKGRFTISRDSAKNTVYLQMNSLKPEDTAVYYCTTATNST TGYDYWGQGTQVTVSS Above set of selected single variable domains (Nanobodies™) consists of 5 families:

-   Family 1: 180B1, 180B3, 180F10 -   Family 2: 180A4 -   Family 3: 180F4 -   Family 4: 180C11 -   Family 5: 180C1, 180F8, 18007     1.5. Selection for Notch-1 Specific Binders

In order to select for Notch-1 binders that do not cross-react with Notch-2 and Notch-3 second round selections were performed with counterselection in solution with Notch-2 and Notch-3. Binding assays were performed. In short: Maxisorp plate was coated with 100 ul 2 ug/ml of rhNotch-1 or Notch-2 (R&D systems) in PBS O/N at 4° C. After washing the plate was blocked with 4% MPBS for 30 minutes hour on shaker. Ten ul of Nanobody from the periplasmic extract was added in 100 ul 2% Marvell/PBS and incubate for 1 hour on shaker. After washing Nanobodies were detected with 100 ul 1:5000 Mouse-anti-MycTag in 2% Marvell/PBS and 100 ul 1:5000 DAMPO in 2% Marvell/PBS for 1 hour on shaker. PO was detected with 100 ul OPD and stopped with 50 ul H2SO4. Quantification was performed at 490 nm in a plate reader. The results showed that from the 96 clones tested 85% was able to bind to Notch-1 and only 2% was cross-reactive for Notch-2, indicating that most selected clones were specific for Notch-1.

Example 2 Generation of Nanobodies Specifically Binding to Human Notch-2

2.1. Immunizations

Two llamas were immunized with 6 boosts of R&D Systems Cat #3735-NT-050, which is the ectodomain of human Notch-2, according to standard protocols, e.g. as above.

2.2. Library Construction

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were prepared from blood samples using Ficoll-Hypaque according to the manufacturer's instructions. Next, total RNA extracted was extracted from these cells and used as starting material for RT-PCR to amplify Nanobody encoding gene fragments. These fragments were cloned into phagemid vector pAX50. Phage was prepared according to standard methods (see for example the prior art and applications filed by applicant cited herein) and stored after filter sterilization at 4° C. for further use.

2.3. Selection

Two rounds of phage display selection were performed according to standard protocols, see above. Binding assays (screening) were performed as above. In short: Maxisorp plate was coated with 100 ul 2 ug/ml of Notch-2 (R&D systems) or with total human IgG in PBS O/N at 4° C. After washing the plate 4× with PBS the plate was blocked with 4% Marvel in PBS for 30 minutes on shaker. 10 ul of periplasmic extract of Nanobody was added in 100 ul 2% Marvell/PBS and incubate for 1 hour on shaker. After washing the plate 4× with PBS the Nanobodies were detected with 100 ul 1:5000 Mouse-anti-MycTag in 2% Marvell/PBS for 1 hour and 100 ul 1:5000 DAMPO in 2% Marvell/PBS for 1 hour. After washing the DAMPO was detected with 100 ul OPD, stopped with 50 ul H2SO4 and quantification was performed at 490 nm in a plate reader. Results showed that the 90% of the Nanobodies bind to the Notch-2-Fc fusion (see below Table). Two of the clones were shown to bind to IgG as well. 181C10, 181C11 and 181D11 belong to one family

TABLE B-2 Selected Nanobodies against human Notch-2. SEQ ID Name NO: Sequence >181G4 348 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCAASGSIFSITEMDWYRQAPGKQREWVAGET SDGSTNYADSVKGRFTISRDNANNAVYLQMNRLKPEDTAVYHCAASLRNSGS NVEGRYWGQGTQVTVSS >181B4 349 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGRINSMNWYHQAPGKEREWVASITSSG TAIYADSVKGRITISRDNAKNTVYLQMNSLKTEDTGVYYCAANLQNARGSYYGQ GTQVTVSS >181D4 350 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFGDYAMNWVRQAPGKGLEWVSSI SAGGYSTTYADSVKGRFTISRDNAKNTLYLQMNSLNPEDTAVYYCARGDWRY GSRGQGTQVTVSS >181E4 351 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCAASGSMSSINAMRWYRQASGKQREPVAEIT SEGTIIYADSVKGRFTTSRDNAKNTVYLQMNSLKPEDTGVYYCAADDGARGSY YGQGTQVTVSS >181F4 352 EVQLVESGGALVQAGGSLRLSCVASGSSFSINDMDWYRQAPGKTREWVAGIN EYGGRNYANSVKDRFTISTDNAKNTVYLQMNSLKPEDTGVYYCAATLAKGGG RYWGQGTPVTVSS >181H4 353 EVKLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGSIFRFNGVDWYRQAPGAEREWVAGF GSGGTTNYADSVKGRFIVSRDNAENTVFLQMNSLKPEDSAVYFCAASIEGVSG RYYGQGTQVTVSS >181A5 354 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCVVSGSILSINTMDWYRQAPGNEREWVGGIT DGGRSNYADSVKDRFTIYRANAKNTVYLQMNSLKPEDTAVYYCAADLRGGIAT TGRYWGQGTQVTVSS >181C10 355 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCAASGMTTIGPMGWYRQGPGKQRELVARITG GGSTNYVDSAKGRFTISRDNAKNAVYLQMNNLKLDDTAVYYCNAYGSGSDYL PIDYWGQGTQVTVSS >181C11 356 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCAASGMTTIGPMGWYRQGPGKQRELVARITG GGSTNYVDSAKGRFTISRDNAKNMGYLQMNNLKLDDTAIYYCYAYGSGSDYLP TDYWGQGTQVTVSS >181D11 357 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCAASGMTTIGPMGWYRQGPGKQRELVARITG GGSTNYVDSAKGRFTISRHNAKNMVYLQMNNLKLDDTAVYYCNAYGSGSDYL PMDYWGQGTQVTVSS

Example 3 Generation of Nanobodies Specifically Binding to Jagged-1

3.1. Immunizations

Two llamas were immunized with 6 boosts of R&D Systems Cat #599-JG, which is the ectodomain of rat Jagged-1, according to standard protocols.

3.2. Library Construction

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were prepared from blood samples using Ficoll-Hypaque according to the manufacturer's instructions. Next, total RNA extracted was extracted from these cells and used as starting material for RT-PCR to amplify Nanobody encoding gene fragments. These fragments were cloned into phagemid vector pAX50. Phage was prepared according to standard methods (see for example the prior art and applications filed by applicant cited herein) and stored after filter sterilization at 4° C. for further use.

3.3. Selection

Two rounds of phage display selection were performed similarly as described above. Binding assays were performed. In short: Maxisorp plate was coated with 100 ul 2 ug/ml of rrJagged-1 (R&D systems) in PBS O/N at 4 C. After washing the plate 4× with PBS the plate was blocked with 4% Marvel in PBS for 30 minutes on shaker. A concentration series of Nanobody (1-1000 nM) was added in 100 ul 2% Marvell/PBS and incubate for 1 hour on shaker. After washing the plate 4× with PBS the Nanobodies were detected with 100 ul 1:5000 Mouse-anti-MycTag in 2% Marvell/PBS for 1 hour and 100 ul 1:5000 DAMPO in 2% Marvell/PBS for 1 hour. After washing the DAMPO was detected with 100 ul OPD, stopped with 50 ul H2SO4 and quantification was performed at 490 nm in a plate reader. Results are shown in FIG. 2 and show that four Nanobodies (Table B-3) bind to rat Jagged-1, where 178C4 seems to have a lower affinity for Jagged-1 compared to the others.

TABLE B-3 Selected Nanobodies against rat Jagged-1. SEQ ID Name NO: Sequence >178C4 335 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCAASGFTFDDYAIGWFRQAPGKEREGVSCMR GRDGSTYYADSVNGRFTISSDNAKNTVYLQMNSLKPEDTAVYYCAAHTDFACY IGYYSDYDPHDYWGQGTQVTVSS >178A7 336 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCATSGVIFSTAAMGWYRQAPGKSRVLVARMF SDGRTIYAESVKRRFTISRDNAKNTVYLQMNSLEPEDTAVYYCNALQFGAVYW GQGTQVTVSS >178D9 337 EVQLVKSGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGSIVSANLIGWYRQAPGKQREGVAFITS GGAINYADSVKGRFTISRDDAKNTVYLQMNSLKPEDTAIYYCNLRQLGNVYWA QGTQVTVSS >178C11 338 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCATSGVIFSTAAMGWYRQAPGKSRVLVARMF SDGRTIYAESVKRRFTISRDNAKNTVYLQMNSLEPEDTAVYYCNALQFGAVYW GQGTQVTVSS Above selected single variable domains (Nanobodies™) consists of 3 families: 3 Families:

-   Family 1: 1 competitive binder: 178C4 -   Family 2: 1 binder: 178D9 -   Family 3: 2 binders: 178A7 and 178C11     3.4. Competition Assay

Competition ELISA assay was performed to check the competition of Jagged-1 binding to human Notch-1 by the Nanobodies. In short: Maxisorp plate was coated with 100 ul 5 ug/ml of rhNotch-1/hFc (R&D systems) in PBS O/N at 4° C. After washing the plate 4× with PBS the plate was blocked with 4% Marvel PBS for 30 minutes hour on shaker. A concentration series of Nanobody (1-1000 nM) and 0.3 ug/ml biotinylated rrJagged-1 (R&D systems, biotinylated in-house) was added in 100 ul 2% Marvell/PBS and incubated for 1 hour on shaker. (0.3 ug/ml biotinylated rrJagged-1˜2.1 nM). After washing the biotin was detected with 100 ul 1:5000 streptavidin-PO in 2% Marvell/PBS for 1 hour on shaker. PO was detected with 100 ul OPD and stopped with 50 ul H2SO4. Quantification was performed at 490 nm in a plate reader. The results are shown in FIG. 3 and show that 178C4 is able to compete for Jagged-1 binding to Notch-1 in a concentration dependent matter. The competition of 178C4 is comparable to the competition by adding non-biotinylated Jagged-1 (cold-jagged1).

Example 4 Generation of Nanobodies Specifically Binding to Human DLL4

4.1. Immunizations

Two llamas were immunized with 6 boosts of R&D Systems Cat #1506-D4-050, which is the ectodomain of human DLL4, according to standard protocols.

4.2. Library Construction

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were prepared from blood samples using Ficoll-Hypaque according to the manufacturer's instructions. Next, total RNA extracted was extracted from these cells and used as starting material for RT-PCR to amplify Nanobody encoding gene fragments. These fragments were cloned into phagemid vector pAX50. Phage was prepared according to standard methods (see for example the prior art and applications filed by applicant cited herein) and stored after filter sterilization at 4° C. for further use.

4.3. Selection

Two rounds of phage display selection were performed similarly as described above. Binding assays were performed. In short: Maxisorp plate was coated with 100 ul 5 ug/ml of rhDLL4 (R&D systems) in PBS O/N at 4° C. After washing the plate was blocked with 4% MPBS for 30 minutes hour on shaker. A concentration series of Nanobody (1-1000 nM) was added in 100 ul 2% Marvell/PBS and incubate for 1 hour on shaker. Nanobody was detected with 100 ul 1:5000 Mouse-anti-MycTag (9E10) in 2% Marvell/PBS and with 100 ul 1:5000 DAMPO in 2% Marvell/PBS for 1 hour on shaker. After washing PO was detected with 100 ul OPD and stopped with 50 ul H2SO4. Quantification was performed at 490 nm in a plate reader. Results show in FIG. 4 that all Nanobodies show a concentration dependent binding to DLL4, where 179F7 shows only little binding at the highest concentration.

TABLE B-4 Selected Nanobodies against human DLL4. SEQ ID Name NO: Sequence >179E6 329 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCIASGDTSEIYDMGWFRQAPGKEREFVSSIH WRGRGTNYTDSVEGRFTISKDNAKNMVYLQMNSLKPEDTAVYYCAATRLIVYT PTGFRQYFDWGQGAQVTVSS >179H9 330 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCAASG??F?SDVMGWFRRAPGKEREFVASITT TGNEYYEDSLKGRFTVSRDIAENTMYLEMTNLKPEDTAEYSCAGRLLGSTIRSH EYRYWGQGTQVTVSS >179A10 331 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCVASGDTSEIYDMGWFRQAPGKEREFVSSIH WGGRGTNYTDSVKGRFTISKDNAKNMVHLQMNSLKPEDTAVYYCAATRLIVYT PTGFRQYFDWGQGTQVTVSS >179D12 332 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCVASGDTSEIYDMGWFRQAPGKEREFVSSIH WGGRGTNYTDSVKGRFTISKDNAKNMVYLQMNSLKPEDTAVYYCAATRLIVYT PTGFRQYFDWGQGTQVTVSS >179F6 333 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCAASGSDFSGFLLGWYRQPPGKQRELIAQTT DGGRTNYGDSVKGRFTISRDNAKNTWYLQMDSLKPEDTGVYYCNTFPLTSWG QGTQVTVSS >179F7 334 EVQLVESGGGLVQSGGSLSLSCAASGSVLRINDMGWYRQAPGKTREMVATIT RSGVLNYTDSVKGRFTVSRDDAKNTVYLQMSSLKPEDTAVYSCFANIVIRSSGY FNRYWGQGTLVTVSS Above selected single variable domains (Nanobodies™) consists of 4 families: 4 Families

-   Family 1: competitive binders: 179A10, 179D12, 179E6 -   Family 2: competitive binder: 179H9 -   Family 3: competitive binder: 179F6 -   Family 4: binder: 179F7     4.4. Competition     Competition ELISA assay was performed to check the competition of     DLL4 binding to human Notch-1 by the Nanobodies. In short: Maxisorp     plate was coated with 100 ul 5 ug/ml of rhDLL4 (R&D systems) in PBS     O/N at 4° C. After washing the plate 4× with PBS the plate was     blocked with 4% Marvel PBS for 30 minutes hour on shaker. A     concentration series of Nanobody (1-1000 nM) and 0.2 ug/ml     rhNotch-1/hFc (R&D systems) was added in 100 ul 2% Marvell/PBS and     incubated for 1 hour on shaker. After washing the Notch-Fc binding     was detected with 100 ul 1:5000 anti-hFc-HRP (Jackson) in 2%     Marvell/PBS for 1 hour on shaker. PO was detected with 100 ul OPD     and stopped with 50 ul H2SO4. Quantification was performed at 490 nm     in a plate reader. The results show in FIG. 5 that all Nanobodies,     except for 179F7, are able to compete for DLL4 binding to Notch-1 in     a concentration dependent matter. The competition of the Nanobodies     is comparable to the competition by adding non-biotinylated Jagged-1     (cold-jagged1).

Example 5 Most Nanobodies Bind Only to One Member of the Notch Family

Various Nanobodies were generated as above against human Notch-1, Notch-2, and Notch-3 (see Table B-5).

TABLE B-5 Selected Nanobodies against human Notch-1, Notch-2, and Notch-3 Name of SEQ ID NO: Target Nanobody Amino acid sequence 358 Human 181B3 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCVVSGSILSINTMD Notch-2 WYRQAPGKQREWFAGLSDGGRANYADSVKDRFT IARDNAKNTVYLQMNSLKPGDTAIYYCAADLWD RGATTGRYWGQGTQVTVSS 359 Human 181D2 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGRINSMNWY Notch-2 RQAPGKEREWVASITSSGTTIYADSVKGRITISEDN AKNTVYLQMNSLKTEDTGVYYCAANLRNARGSY YGQGTQVTVSS 360 Human 181D3 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCAASTNVSSFNTM Notch-2 SWYRQSPRKQREWVATITDGDNTHYADSVKGRFT TSRDNAKNLLYLQMNSLKPEDTAVYYCTGWRAT SGGSYGQGTQVTVSS 361 Human 181E3 EVQLVESGGGLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFGDYAM Notch-2 NWVRQAPGKGLEWVSSISAGGYSTTYADSVKGRF TISRDNAKNTLYLQMNSLNPEDTAVYYCARGDW RYGSRGQGTQVTVSS 362 Human 50C4 EVQLVESGGDLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSTYYMS Notch-3 WVRQAPGKGLEWVSGIYSDGSNTYYADSVKGRF TISRDNAKNTLYLQMNSLKSEDTAVYYCTRPVVV AGSPVSYEYDYIGQGTQVTVSS 363 Human 50H9 EVQLVESGGDLVQPGGSLRLSCAASGFTFSTYYMS Notch-3 WVRQAPGKGLEWVSGIYSDGSNTYYADSVKGRF TISRDNAKNTLYLQMNSLKSEDTAVYYCTRPVVV AGSPVSYEYDYIGQGTQVTVSS 364 Human 180F8 EVQLVESGGDLVQPGGSLRLSCTTSGTVFSINDMG Notch-1 WSRQAPGKGRELVASISSEGTTIYADAAKGRFTISR DNSKNTVYLEMNSLKPDDTAVYYCRVVDPLRGK LYWGQGTQVTVSS 365 Negative 4H2 EVQLVESGGGLVQAGGSLRLSCATSGFTFSRFDMS control WFRQAPGKQREFIATIFSGGDTDYIDSVKGRFTISR DNAKNTVYLQMNSLKPEDTAVYYCCPLGIEYAW GQGTQVTVSS In order to test whether Nanobodies with binding specificity to human Notch-1, -2 or -3 have cross-reactivity to other members of the Notch family, individual clones picked from above selected Nanobodies are further tested in an ELISA binding assay setup. In short, 2 microgram/ml of human Notch-1, Notch-2, Notch-3 and CD36-Fc was immobilized on Maxisorp ELISA plates (Nunc) in marvell PBST for 1 h at 4 degrees Celsius (4° C.). After washing, the plate was blocked using 4% Marvel skimmed milk in PBS for 30 minutes on shaker. A concentration series of the Nanobodies in Table B-5 (25 pM to 2000 nM) was added in 100 microliter 2% Marvell/PBS and incubated for 1 h on shaker. After washing the Nanobodies were detected with 100 microliter 1:2500 R-anti-VHH (1:2500) in 2% Marvell/PBS and 100 microliter 1:5000 DAMPO in 2% Marvell/PBS for 1 h on shaker. PO was detected with 100 microliter OPD and stopped with 50 microliter H2SO4. Quantification was performed at 490 nm in a plate reader. The results in FIG. 6 show that:

-   -   None of the Notch clones binds to Fc (FIG. 6 a)     -   50H9 (Notch-3 binder) shows some crossreactivity with Notch-1         (FIGS. 6 c and 6 d)     -   All other clones seem to be specific FIGS. 6 b, 6 c, 6 d     -   Binding (IC50) is in the low nanomolar range

Example 6 List of General in vitro, Cell-based or in vivo Assays

-   -   In vitro binding assays: ELISA, Biacore     -   In vivo binding assay: Flow cytometry     -   In vivo functional assay: Mouse models for several diseases         where Notch is involved have been developed (Gridley T., 2003,         Human Molecular Genetics, Vol 12, Review Issue 1, R9-R13)

Example 7 List of Target Proteins of the Invention (Links to Nucleic and Amino Acid Sequence)

Sequence of human members of the Sequences from various species found e.g. Notch signalling pathway on www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez Human Notch-1 AAG33848 Human Notch-2 AAA36377 Human Notch-3 CAA55955 Human Notch-4 Q99466 Human Jagged-1 AAC52020 Human Jagged-2 AAB61285 Human DLL1 AAQ89251 Human DLL3 AAF62542 Human DLL4 AAQ89253

Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the following claims.

All references disclosed herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Preferred Aspects

1. A single variable domain that specifically binds to at least one member of the Notch pathway.

2. The single variable domain according to aspect 1, wherein the member of the Notch pathway is selected from the group consisting of the human members of the Notch pathway.

3. The single variable domain according to aspect 1, wherein the member of the Notch pathway is selected from the group consisting of the Notch receptors and Notch ligands.

4. The single variable domain according to aspect 1, wherein the member of the Notch pathway is selected from the group consisting of the human Notch receptors and human Notch ligands.

5. The single variable domain according to aspect 1, wherein the member of the Notch pathway is selected from the group consisting of Jagged-1, Jagged-2, DLL1, DLL3, DLL4, Notch-1, Notch-2, Notch-3, and Notch-4.

6. The single variable domain according to aspect 1, wherein the member of the Notch pathway is selected from the group consisting of human Jagged-1, human Jagged-2, human DLL1, human DLL3, human DLL4, human Notch-1, human Notch-2, human Notch-3, and human Notch-4.

7. The single variable domain according to aspect 1, wherein the member of the Notch pathway is selected from the group consisting of human Jagged-1, human DLL4, human Notch-1 and human Notch-2.

8. The single variable domain according to aspect 1, wherein the single variable domain additionally blocks the interaction between at least one member of the Notch ligands with at least one other member of the Notch receptors.

9. The single variable domain according to aspect 1, wherein the single variable domain additionally blocks the interaction between at least one member of the group consisting of Notch ligands and Notch receptors with at least one single variable domain with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364.

10. The single variable domain according to aspect 1, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364; and b) single variable domains with 80% sequence identity to at least one sequence selected from the group consisting of single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364.

11. The single variable domain according to aspect 1, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364, wherein up to 10 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

12. The single variable domain according to aspect 1, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364, wherein up to 8 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

13. The single variable domain according to aspect 1, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364, wherein up to 5 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

14. The single variable domain according to aspect 1, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364, wherein up to 3 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

15. The single variable domain according to aspect 1, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364; and b) single variable domains with 80% sequence identity to at least one sequences selected from the group consisting of sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch signalling pathway with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

16. The single variable domain according to aspect 1, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364, wherein up to 10 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch signalling pathway with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

17. The single variable domain according to aspect 1, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364, wherein up to 8 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch signalling pathway with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

18. The single variable domain according to aspect 1, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364, wherein up to 5 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch signalling pathway with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

19. The single variable domain according to aspect 1, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364, wherein up to 3 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch signalling pathway with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

20. The single variable domain according to aspect 1, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364; and b) single variable domains with 80% sequence identity to at least one sequences selected from the group consisting of sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch signalling pathway with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

21. The single variable domain according to aspect 1, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364, wherein up to 10 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch signalling pathway with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

22. The single variable domain according to aspect 1, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364 wherein up to 8 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch signalling pathway with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

23. The single variable domain according to aspect 1, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364, wherein up to 5 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch signalling pathway with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

24. The single variable domain according to aspect 1, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 364, wherein up to 3 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch signalling pathway with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

25. A single variable domain that specifically binds to at least one member of the Notch receptors.

26. The single variable domain according to aspect 25, wherein the member of the Notch receptors is selected from the group consisting of the human members of the Notch receptors.

27. The single variable domain according to aspect 25 wherein the member of the Notch receptors is selected from the group consisting of Notch-1, Notch-2, Notch-3, and Notch-4.

28. The single variable domain according to aspect 25 wherein the member of the Notch receptors is selected from the group consisting of human Notch-1, human Notch-2, human Notch-3, and human Notch-4.

29. The single variable domain according to aspect 25 wherein the member of the Notch receptors is selected from the group consisting of human Notch-1 and human Notch-2.

30. The single variable domain according to aspect 25, wherein the single variable domain additionally blocks the interaction between at least one member of the Notch ligands with at least one other member of the Notch receptors.

31. The single variable domain according to aspect 25, wherein the single variable domain additionally blocks the interaction between at least one member of the group consisting of Notch receptors with at least one single variable domain with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364.

32. The single variable domain according to aspect 25, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364; and b) single variable domains with 80% sequence identity to at least one sequence selected from the group consisting of single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364.

33. The single variable domain according to aspect 25, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364, wherein up to 10 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

34. The single variable domain according to aspect 25, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364, wherein up to 8 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

35. The single variable domain according to aspect 25, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364, wherein up to 5 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

36. The single variable domain according to aspect 25, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364, wherein up to 3 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

37. The single variable domain according to aspect 25, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364; and b) single variable domains with 80% sequence identity to at least one sequences selected from the group consisting of sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch receptors with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

38. The single variable domain according to aspect 25, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364, wherein up to 10 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch receptors with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

39. The single variable domain according to aspect 25, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364, wherein up to 8 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch receptors with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

40. The single variable domain according to aspect 25, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364, wherein up to 5 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch receptors with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

41. The single variable domain according to aspect 25, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364, wherein up to 3 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch receptors with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

42. The single variable domain according to aspect 25, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364; and b) single variable domains with 80% sequence identity to at least one sequences selected from the group consisting of sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to members of the Notch signalling pathway with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

43. The single variable domain according to aspect 25, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364, wherein up to 10 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch receptors with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

44. The single variable domain according to aspect 25, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364, wherein up to 8 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch receptors with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

45. The single variable domain according to aspect 25, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364, wherein up to 5 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch receptors with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

46. The single variable domain according to aspect 25, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 364, wherein up to 3 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch receptors with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

47. A single variable domain that specifically binds to at least one member of the Notch ligands.

48. The single variable domain according to aspect 47, wherein the member of the Notch ligands is selected from the group consisting of the human members of the Notch ligands.

49. The single variable domain according to aspect 47, wherein the member of the Notch receptors is selected from the group consisting of Jagged-1, Jagged-2, DLL1, DLL3, DLL4.

50. The single variable domain according to aspect 47, wherein the member of the Notch receptors is selected from the group consisting of human Jagged-1, human Jagged-2, human DLL1, human DLL3, and human DLL4.

51. The single variable domain according to aspect 47, wherein the member of the Notch receptors is selected from the group consisting of human Jagged-1 and human DLL4.

52. The single variable domain according to aspect 47, wherein the single variable domain additionally blocks the interaction between at least one member of the Notch ligands with at least one other member of the Notch receptors.

53. The single variable domain according to aspect 47, wherein the single variable domain additionally blocks the interaction between at least one member of the group consisting of Notch ligands with at least one single variable domain with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338.

54. The single variable domain according to aspect 47, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338; and b) single variable domains with 80% sequence identity to at least one sequence selected from the group consisting of single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338.

55. The single variable domain according to aspect 47, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338, wherein up to 10 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

56. The single variable domain according to aspect 47, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338, wherein up to 8 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

57. The single variable domain according to aspect 47, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338, wherein up to 5 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

58. The single variable domain according to aspect 47, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338, wherein up to 3 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

59. The single variable domain according to aspect 47, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338; and b) single variable domains with 80% sequence identity to at least one sequences selected from the group consisting of sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch ligands with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

60. The single variable domain according to aspect 47, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338, wherein up to 10 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch ligands with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

61. The single variable domain according to aspect 47, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338, wherein up to 8 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch ligands with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

62. The single variable domain according to aspect 47, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338, wherein up to 5 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch ligands with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

63. The single variable domain according to aspect 47, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338, wherein up to 3 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch ligands with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

64. The single variable domain according to aspect 47, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338; and b) single variable domains with 80% sequence identity to at least one sequences selected from the group consisting of sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch ligands with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

65. The single variable domain according to aspect 47, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338, wherein up to 10 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch ligands with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

66. The single variable domain according to aspect 47, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338, wherein up to 8 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch ligands with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

67. The single variable domain according to aspect 47, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338, wherein up to 5 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch ligands with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

68. The single variable domain according to aspect 47, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 338, wherein up to 3 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch ligands with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

69. A single variable domain that specifically binds to at least one member of the DLL4 family.

70. The single variable domain according to aspect 69, wherein the member of the DLL4 family is selected from human DLL4.

71. The single variable domain according to aspect 69, wherein the single variable domain additionally blocks the interaction between human DLL4 with at least one other member of the DLL4 family.

72. The single variable domain according to aspect 69, wherein the single variable domain additionally blocks the interaction between human DLL4 with at least one single variable domain with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334.

73. The single variable domain according to aspect 69, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334; and b) single variable domains with 80% sequence identity to at least one sequence selected from the group consisting of single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334.

74. The single variable domain according to aspect 69, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334, wherein up to 10 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

75. The single variable domain according to aspect 69, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334, wherein up to 8 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

76. The single variable domain according to aspect 69, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334, wherein up to 5 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

77. The single variable domain according to aspect 69, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334, wherein up to 3 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

78. The single variable domain according to aspect 69, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334; and b) single variable domains with 80% sequence identity to at least one sequences selected from the group consisting of sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human DLL4 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

79. The single variable domain according to aspect 69, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334, wherein up to 10 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human DLL4 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

80. The single variable domain according to aspect 69, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334, wherein up to 8 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human DLL4 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

81. The single variable domain according to aspect 69, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334, wherein up to 5 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human DLL4 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

82. The single variable domain according to aspect 69, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334, wherein up to 3 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human DLL4 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

83. The single variable domain according to aspect 69, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334; and b) single variable domains with 80% sequence identity to at least one sequences selected from the group consisting of sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human DLL4 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

84. The single variable domain according to aspect 69, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334, wherein up to 10 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human DLL4 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

85. The single variable domain according to aspect 69, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334, wherein up to 8 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human DLL4 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

86. The single variable domain according to aspect 69, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334, wherein up to 5 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human DLL4 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

87. The single variable domain according to aspect 69, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 334, wherein up to 3 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human DLL4 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

88. A single variable domain that specifically binds to at least one member of the Jagged-1 family.

89. The single variable domain according to aspect 88, wherein the member of the Jagged-1 family is selected from human Jagged-1.

90. The single variable domain according to aspect 88, wherein the single variable domain additionally blocks the interaction between human Jagged-1 with at least one other member of the Jagged-1 family.

91. The single variable domain according to aspect 88, wherein the single variable domain additionally blocks the interaction between human Jagged-1 with at least one single variable domain with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338.

92. The single variable domain according to aspect 88, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338; and b) single variable domains with 80% sequence identity to at least one sequence selected from the group consisting of single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338.

93. The single variable domain according to aspect 88, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338, wherein up to 10 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

94. The single variable domain according to aspect 88, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338, wherein up to 8 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

95. The single variable domain according to aspect 88, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338, wherein up to 5 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

96. The single variable domain according to aspect 88, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338, wherein up to 3 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

97. The single variable domain according to aspect 88, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338; and b) single variable domains with 80% sequence identity to at least one sequences selected from the group consisting of sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Jagged-1 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

98. The single variable domain according to aspect 88, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338, wherein up to 10 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Jagged-1 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

99. The single variable domain according to aspect 88, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338, wherein up to 8 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Jagged-1 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

100. The single variable domain according to aspect 88, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338, wherein up to 5 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Jagged-1 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

101. The single variable domain according to aspect 88, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338, wherein up to 3 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Jagged-1 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

102. The single variable domain according to aspect 88, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338; and b) single variable domains with 80% sequence identity to at least one sequences selected from the group consisting of sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Jagged-1 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

103. The single variable domain according to aspect 88, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338, wherein up to 10 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Jagged-1 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

104. The single variable domain according to aspect 88, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338, wherein up to 8 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Jagged-1 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

105. The single variable domain according to aspect 88, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338, wherein up to 5 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Jagged-1 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

106. The single variable domain according to aspect 88, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 335 to 338, wherein up to 3 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Jagged-1 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

107. A single variable domain that specifically binds to at least one member of the Notch-1 family.

108. The single variable domain according to aspect 107, wherein the member of the Notch-1 family is selected from human Notch-1.

109. The single variable domain according to aspect 107, wherein the single variable domain additionally blocks the interaction between human Notch-1 with at least one other member of the Notch ligands.

110. The single variable domain according to aspect 107, wherein the single variable domain additionally blocks the interaction between human Notch-1 with at least one single variable domain with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364.

111. The single variable domain according to aspect 107, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364; and b) single variable domains with 80% sequence identity to at least one sequence selected from the group consisting of single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364.

112. The single variable domain according to aspect 107, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364, wherein up to 10 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

113. The single variable domain according to aspect 107, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364, wherein up to 8 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

114. The single variable domain according to aspect 107, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364, wherein up to 5 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

115. The single variable domain according to aspect 107, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364, wherein up to 3 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

116. The single variable domain according to aspect 107, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364; and b) single variable domains with 80% sequence identity to at least one sequences selected from the group consisting of sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-1 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

117. The single variable domain according to aspect 107, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364, wherein up to 10 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-1 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

118. The single variable domain according to aspect 107, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364, wherein up to 8 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-1 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

119. The single variable domain according to aspect 107, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364; and b) single variable domains sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364, wherein up to 5 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-1 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

120. The single variable domain according to aspect 107, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364, wherein up to 3 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-1 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

121. The single variable domain according to aspect 107, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364; and b) single variable domains with 80% sequence identity to at least one sequences selected from the group consisting of sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-1 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

122. The single variable domain according to aspect 107, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364, wherein up to 10 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-1 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

123. The single variable domain according to aspect 107, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364, wherein up to 8 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-1 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

124. The single variable domain according to aspect 107, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364, wherein up to 5 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-1 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

125. The single variable domain according to aspect 107, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 339 to 347 and SEQ ID NO: 364, wherein up to 3 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-1 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

126. A single variable domain that specifically binds to at least one member of the Notch-2 family.

127. The single variable domain according to aspect 126, wherein the member of the Notch-2 family is selected from human Notch-2.

128. The single variable domain according to aspect 126, wherein the single variable domain additionally blocks the interaction between human Notch-2 with at least one other member of the Notch ligands.

129. The single variable domain according to aspect 126, wherein the single variable domain additionally blocks the interaction between human Notch-2 with at least one single variable domain with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361.

130. The single variable domain according to aspect 126, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361; and b) single variable domains with 80% sequence identity to at least one sequence selected from the group consisting of single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361.

131. The single variable domain according to aspect 126, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361, wherein up to 10 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

132. The single variable domain according to aspect 126, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361, wherein up to 8 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

133. The single variable domain according to aspect 126, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361, wherein up to 5 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

134. The single variable domain according to aspect 126, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361, wherein up to 3 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

135. The single variable domain according to aspect 126, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361; and b) single variable domains with 80% sequence identity to at least one sequences selected from the group consisting of sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-2 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

136. The single variable domain according to aspect 126, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361, wherein up to 10 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-2 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

137. The single variable domain according to aspect 126, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361, wherein up to 8 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-2 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

138. The single variable domain according to aspect 126, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361, wherein up to 5 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-2 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

139. The single variable domain according to aspect 126, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361, wherein up to 3 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-2 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

140. The single variable domain according to aspect 126, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361; and b) single variable domains with 80% sequence identity to at least one sequences selected from the group consisting of sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-2 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

141. The single variable domain according to aspect 126, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361, wherein up to 10 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-2 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

142. The single variable domain according to aspect 126, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361, wherein up to 8 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-2 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

143. The single variable domain according to aspect 126, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361, wherein up to 5 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-2 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

144. The single variable domain according to aspect 126, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361, wherein up to 3 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-2 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

145. A single variable domain that specifically binds to Jagged-2.

146. The single variable domain according to aspect 145, wherein the member of the Jagged-2 family is selected from the group consisting of the human Jagged-2.

147. The single variable domain according to aspect 145, wherein the single variable domain additionally blocks the interaction between human Jagged-2 with at least one other member of the Notch receptors.

148. A single variable domain that specifically binds to DLL1.

149. The single variable domain according to aspect 148, wherein the member of the DLL1 family is selected from the group consisting of the human DLL1.

150. The single variable domain according to aspect 148, wherein the single variable domain additionally blocks the interaction between human DLL1 with at least one other member of the Notch receptors.

151. A single variable domain that specifically binds to DLL3.

152. The single variable domain according to aspect 151, wherein the member of the DLL3 family is selected from the group consisting of the human DLL3.

153. The single variable domain according to aspect 151, wherein the single variable domain additionally blocks the interaction between human DLL3 with at least one other member of the Notch receptors.

154. A single variable domain that specifically binds to at least one member of the Notch-3 family.

155. The single variable domain according to aspect 154, wherein the member of the Notch-2 family is selected from human Notch-3.

156. The single variable domain according to aspect 154, wherein the single variable domain additionally blocks the interaction between human Notch-3 with at least one other member of the Notch ligands.

157. The single variable domain according to aspect 154, wherein the single variable domain additionally blocks the interaction between human Notch-3 with at least one single variable domain with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363.

158. The single variable domain according to aspect 154, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363; and b) single variable domains with 80% sequence identity to at least one sequence selected from the group consisting of single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363.

159. The single variable domain according to aspect 154, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363, wherein up to 10 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

160. The single variable domain according to aspect 154, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363, wherein up to 8 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

161. The single variable domain according to aspect 154, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363, wherein up to 5 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

162. The single variable domain according to aspect 154, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361, wherein up to 3 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.

163. The single variable domain according to aspect 154, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363; and b) single variable domains with 80% sequence identity to at least one sequences selected from the group consisting of sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-3 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

164. The single variable domain according to aspect 154, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 348 to 361, wherein up to 10 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-3 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

165. The single variable domain according to aspect 154, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363, wherein up to 8 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-3 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

166. The single variable domain according to aspect 154, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363, wherein up to 5 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-3 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

167. The single variable domain according to aspect 154, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363, wherein up to 3 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-3 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

168. The single variable domain according to aspect 154, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363; and b) single variable domains with 80% sequence identity to at least one sequences selected from the group consisting of sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-3 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

169. The single variable domain according to aspect 154, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363, wherein up to 10 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-2 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

170. The single variable domain according to aspect 154, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363, wherein up to 8 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-3 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

171. The single variable domain according to aspect 126, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363, wherein up to 5 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-3 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

172. The single variable domain according to aspect 154, wherein the single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363; and b) single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 362 to 363, wherein up to 3 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions; and wherein said selected single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to human Notch-3 with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.

173. A single variable domain that specifically binds to Notch-4.

174. The single variable domain according to aspect 173, wherein the member of the Notch-3 family is selected from the group consisting of the human Notch-4.

175. The single variable domain according to aspect 173, wherein the single variable domain additionally blocks the interaction between human Notch-4 with at least one other member of the Notch ligands.

176. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 329.

177. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 330.

178. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 331.

179. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 332.

180. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 333.

181. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 334.

182. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 335.

183. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 336.

184. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 337.

185. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 338.

186. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 339.

187. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 340.

188. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 341.

189. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 342.

190. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 343.

191. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 344.

192. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 345.

193. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 346.

194. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 347.

195. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 348.

196. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 349.

197. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 350.

198. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 351.

199. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 352.

200. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 353.

201. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 354.

202. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 355.

203. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 356.

204. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 356.

205. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 357.

206. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 358.

207. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 359.

208. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 360.

209. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 361.

210. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 362.

211. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 363.

212. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 364.

213. Single variable domain with sequence having SEQ ID NO: 365.

214. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspects 1 to 24.

215. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain according to aspects 25 to 46.

216. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspects 47 to 68.

217. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspects 69 to 87.

218. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspects 88 to 106.

219. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspects 107 to 125.

220. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspects 126 to 144.

221. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspects 145 to 147.

222. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspects 148 to 150.

223. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspects 151 to 153.

224. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspects 154 to 172.

225. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspects 173 to 175.

226. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspects 107 to 125.

227. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 176.

228. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 177.

229. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 178.

230. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 179.

231. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 180.

232. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 181.

233. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 182.

234. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 183.

235. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 184.

236. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 185.

237. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 186.

238. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 187.

239. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 188.

240. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 189.

241. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 190.

242. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 191.

243. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 192.

244. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 193.

245. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 194.

246. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 195.

247. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 196.

248. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 197.

249. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 198.

250. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 199.

251. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 200.

252. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 201.

253. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 202.

254. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 203.

255. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 204.

256. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 205.

257. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 206.

258. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 207.

259. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 208.

260. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 209.

261. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 210.

262. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 211.

263. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 212.

264. A construct comprising at least one single variable domain of aspect 213.

265. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a single variable domain of aspects 1 to 213 and/or a construct of aspects 214 to 264.

266. A nucleotide sequence encoding for a single variable domain of aspects 1 to 213 and/or a construct of aspects 214 to 264.

267. A host cell able to express and/or comprising a single variable domain of aspects 1 to 213 and/or a construct of aspects 214 to 264, and/or a nucleotide sequence of aspect 234.

268. Method of making a single variable domain of any aspects 1 to 213, method of making a construct of aspects 214 to 264; method of making a pharmaceutical composition of aspect 265; method of making a nucleotide sequence of aspect 266; and/or making a host cell of 267.

269. Method of screening a molecule specifically binding to a member of the Notch pathway using a single variable domain of aspects 1 to 213 or a construct of aspects 214 to 264, a pharmaceutical composition of aspect 265, a nucleotide sequence of aspect 266, and/or a host cell of aspects 267.

270. Method for the prevention and/or treatment of at least one disease or disorder in which a member selected from the group consisting of the Notch pathway plays a role or is implicated, said method comprising administering, to a subject in need thereof, a pharmaceutically active amount of at least one single variable domain of aspects 1 to 213, one construct of aspects 214 to 264, or one pharmaceutical composition of aspect 265.

271. Method for the prevention and/or treatment of at least one disease or disorder selected from the group of diseases consisting of cancers, an autoimmune diseases or neurodegenerative diseases, said method comprising administering, to a subject in need thereof, a pharmaceutically active amount of at least one single variable domain of aspects 1 to 213, one construct of aspects 214 to 264, or one pharmaceutical composition of aspect 265.

272. Use of a pharmaceutically active amount of at least one single variable domain of aspects 1 to 213, one construct of aspects 214 to 264, or one pharmaceutical composition of aspect 265 for the prevention and/or treatment of at least one disease or disorder in which a member selected from the group consisting of the Notch pathway plays a role or is implicated.

273. Use of a pharmaceutically active amount of at least one single variable domain of aspects 1 to 213, one construct of aspects 214 to 264, or one pharmaceutical composition of aspect 265 for the prevention and/or treatment of at least one disease or disorder selected from the group of diseases consisting of cancers, an autoimmune diseases or neurodegenerative diseases.

274. Use of a pharmaceutically active amount of at least one single variable domain of aspects 1 to 213, one construct of aspects 214 to 264, or one pharmaceutical composition of aspect 265 for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention and/or treatment of at least one disease or disorder in which a member selected from the group consisting of the Notch pathway plays a role or is implicated.

275. Use of a pharmaceutically active amount of at least one single variable domain of aspects 1 to 213, one construct of aspects 214 to 264, or one pharmaceutical composition of aspect 265 for the manufacture of a medicament for the prevention and/or treatment of at least one disease or disorder selected from the group of diseases consisting of cancers, an autoimmune diseases or neurodegenerative diseases. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. An isolated immunoglobulin single variable domain that specifically binds to at least one member of the Notch pathway, wherein the immunoglobulin single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of a) immunoglobulin single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NOs: 329 to 333 and SEQ ID NOs: 335 to 364; and b) immunoglobulin single variable domains with at least 90% sequence identity to at least one sequence selected from the group consisting of immunoglobulin single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 333 and SEQ ID NOs: 335 to 364, in which for the purposes of determining the degree of amino acid identity, the amino acid residues that form the CDR sequences are disregarded.
 2. The isolated immunoglobulin single variable domain according to claim 1, wherein the member of the Notch pathway is selected from the group consisting of the human members of the Notch pathway.
 3. The isolated immunoglobulin single variable domain according to claim 1, wherein the member of the Notch pathway is selected from the group consisting of the Notch receptors and Notch ligands.
 4. The isolated immunoglobulin single variable domain according to claim 1, wherein the member of the Notch pathway is selected from the group consisting of the human Notch receptors and human Notch ligands.
 5. The isolated immunoglobulin single variable domain according to claim 1, wherein the member of the Notch pathway is selected from the group consisting of Jagged-1, Delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4), Notch-1, Notch-2, and Notch
 3. 6. The isolated immunoglobulin single variable domain according to claim 1, wherein the member of the Notch pathway is selected from the group consisting of human Jagged-1, human Delta-like ligand 4 (DLL4), human Notch-1, human Notch-2, and human Notch
 3. 7. The isolated immunoglobulin single variable domain according to claim 1, wherein the immunoglobulin single variable domain additionally blocks the interaction between at least one member of the Notch ligands with at least one other member of the Notch receptors.
 8. The isolated immunoglobulin single variable domain according to claim 1, wherein the immunoglobulin single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of immunoglobulin single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 333 and SEQ ID NOs: 335 to 364, wherein up to 10 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.
 9. The isolated polypeptide comprising an immunoglobulin single variable domain according to claim 1, wherein the immunoglobulin single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of immunoglobulin single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 333 and SEQ ID NOs: 335 to 364, wherein up to 8 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.
 10. The isolated immunoglobulin single variable domain according to claim 1, wherein the immunoglobulin single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of immunoglobulin single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 333 and SEQ ID NOs: 335 to 364, wherein up to 5 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.
 11. The isolated immunoglobulin single variable domain according to claim 1, wherein the immunoglobulin single variable domain is selected from the group consisting of immunoglobulin single variable domains with sequences having SEQ ID NO: 329 to 333 and SEQ ID NOs: 335 to 364, wherein up to 3 amino acid residues are replaced by naturally occurring amino acids and wherein said replaced amino acids are located within the framework regions.
 12. The isolated immunoglobulin single variable domain according to claim 1, wherein said selected immunoglobulin single variable domain from group a) and b) binds to at least one member of the Notch signalling pathway with a dissociation constant (K_(D)) of 10⁻⁷ to 10⁻¹² moles/liter or less.
 13. An isolated polypeptide comprising the immunoglobulin single variable domain of claim
 1. 